AI-Designed Rocket Engine Successfully Test-Fired by Leap 71

Leap 71's 3D Printed Rocket Engine

The future of aerospace engineering just took a bold step forward with the successful test firing of a rocket engine entirely designed by artificial intelligence. On June 14, 2024, Dubai-based engineering company Leap 71 carried out a 12-second test of their AI-crafted engine, marking a historic milestone. The engine, developed by Leap 71’s computational engineering model, Nyron, achieved steady-state flow and remained fully intact throughout the test—an astonishing feat for a design created without any human intervention.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the speed of development.

According to Leap 71’s managing director, the transition from final specifications to a fully manufactured rocket engine took just two weeks. This is a drastic reduction compared to traditional aerospace timelines, where the design phase alone can stretch for months or even years. Nyron, recognized as the most advanced computational engineering model available, has now proven that AI-driven design processes can be both efficient and reliable.

The engine itself is 3D printed out of copper and produces an impressive 5 kN of thrust. It runs on liquid oxygen and RP-1, a refined kerosene commonly used in rocket propulsion. Advanced cooling techniques were also incorporated into the design, including regenerative cooling with 0.8mm-wide channels and film cooling to regulate temperatures.

These innovations kept the copper surface at a manageable 250°C, despite the combustion chamber reaching a scorching 3,000°C. Additionally, Nyron designed a coaxial swirl injector, considered one of the most sophisticated types for rocket engines.

To bring this AI-created vision to life, Leap 71 partnered with German metal 3D printing company AMCM for manufacturing. However, it's important to note that while the AI designed critical components such as the combustion chamber and injector, the pressurization system was part of the test stand. This means that the most complex part of rocket engine development—turbomachinery—was not yet tackled by Nyron. Despite this limitation, the results still validate AI-driven engineering as a powerful tool in rocket development.

The success of Leap 71’s AI-designed rocket engine is a glimpse into the future of space technology. While human expertise remains indispensable, AI-driven models like Nyron could significantly accelerate innovation, reduce costs, and challenge conventional aerospace practices. As the industry embraces computational engineering, the line between human and artificial intelligence in design continues to blur—one successful test fire at a time.