In Development

TANGERINE

A Mojave-Sphinx-derived liquid fueled test vehicle.

Vehicle Type Subscale Liquid-Fueled Test Rocket

My Role Project Lead

Team Highlander Space Program

Status Flight Campaign Upcoming

Timeframe 2025 – Present

TANGERINE firing on its vertical test stand, vapor rolling across the desert pad

Overview

The Test Article for Next-Generation Engine and Recovery INtegration Evaluation, or TANGERINE, is Highlander Space Program's second liquid-fueled rocket.

TANGERINE provides a stepping stone from Poseidon to our future Clementine vehicle, allowing us to flight-test hardware integration, novel recovery systems, and payload deployment before Clementine flies.

Technical Details

TANGERINE is built off the trusty Mojave Sphinx framework. By adapting an existing design to meet our needs, TANGERINE can be designed and deployed faster and more cost-effectively.

TANGERINE's stretched tank carries 9.60 lbm of nitrous oxide oxidizer and 4.09 lbm of ethanol fuel, which it burns over 4 seconds to produce around 470 lbf of thrust.

Gallery

A hard start engulfs the test stand in an orange fireball with desert mountains behind

TANGERINE bursts to life with its first fire. Despite the hard start, the vehicle remained healthy and was turned around for another attempt quickly.

TANGERINE's second static fire sends flame across the pad beside the test gantry

TANGERINE hesitatingly breathes fire for the second time

Road to Flight

TANGERINE has seen multiple successful cold flows. Upon completion of a successful static fire campaign, TANGERINE will make its first flight.