First firing of Smallspark's S4-Hive Pathfinder engine

We're pleased to announce hosting the first firings of Smallspark Space Systems' S4-Hive Pathfinder engine, which was fired in our J1 facility. This hybrid engine aims to demonstrate their technology before scaling up for flight vehicles. The firings were partially funded by SPRINT and The Welsh Government. AEL provided the oxidiser feed system and instrumentation needed to enable the ignition test and first firings. These tests will hopefully be the start of a larger campaign to explore the performance of the engine over a wider operating regime.