Electric Pump for Rocket Engines
(PROPELLANT: LOX/LCH4)

Unlike conventional turbo pumps ^*1, our electric pump for rocket engines uses an electric motor as its driving mechanism. By electrifying the pump, we aim to provide new value in terms of engine maintenance and ease of handling. ^*2

*1 Turbo pump: A centrifugal pump that pressurizes liquid propellant by rotating with high-temperature combustion gas.
*2 Ease of handling: Makes thrust control easier.

Why LCH4

As a liquid fuel, methane has better storage properties than traditional liquid hydrogen in terms of density and difficulty in evaporation in space. Compared to kerosene, it is less likely to produce soot during engine combustion, making it less prone to failure during re-ignition or reuse. These advantages have attracted attention not only for use in Earth orbit but also in long-distance transportation to the moon and other planets. The electric pump is also gaining attention for its maintenance and ease of handling, and the adoption of liquid methane allows us to leverage its strengths.

Complimentary Initiatives

Collaborative research with JAXA for Electrification of Engine Turbo Pumps

Utilizing EBARA's fluid technology, EBARA has been supporting the improvement of JAXA's engine turbo pumps since the early 2000s. Since 2018, our company has been providing technical cooperation related to the realization of electric pumps, contributing to the creation of new technologies for society in parallel with its own product development.

Collaborative investigation with JAXA on High-Speed Rotation of Canned-Type Motor Pumps

The adoption of this research theme, carried out in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., was decided at the 9th RFP organized by JAXA's Space Exploration Innovation Hub. This joint research contributes to the resolution of a research challenge in JAXA's wide-ranging unexplored peak-type exploration technology: "An electric centrifugal pump that can pressurize highly corrosive fluids without external leakage." Our cooperation in this study will promote human space exploration.