Sunburnt Space Co. Partners with Delta-V Industries to Test Ethanol-Powered Rocket Engine
Sunburnt Space Co. and Delta-V Industries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to flight-test an experimental ethanol-powered rocket engine
Sunburnt Space Co. and Delta-V Industries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to flight-test an experimental ethanol-powered rocket engine during Outback Launch Week in White Cliffs, NSW. The agreement marks a major step forward for both companies as they prepare to integrate and launch the engine at the grassroots rocket experience later this year.
The MoU outlines a joint commitment to flight-test Delta-V’s ethanol engine on a Sunburnt Space vehicle, with integration work already underway. As part of the agreement, Sunburnt Space Co. will provide vehicle access and engineering support, while Delta-V will supply the engine and supporting data for qualification. The teams are working together to ensure the engine meets all safety and performance standards before the exciting test flight.
“We’re thrilled to be flying Delta-V’s engine,” said Brad Younger, Founder of Sunburnt Space Co. “This is what Outback Launch Week is all about. Proving what’s possible when passionate engineers get their hands dirty and put real hardware to the test.”
Strategic Technology Transfer Agreement
In addition to the flight collaboration, the agreement grants Sunburnt Space Co. the first right of refusal on Delta-V’s innovative bladeless pump, a lightweight, high-performance system designed to simplify rocket engine plumbing and reduce mechanical complexity. This technology transfer component demonstrates the strategic depth of the partnership beyond the immediate test flight.
“Collaborating with Sunburnt is a perfect fit,” said Andy Zeng, Founder of Delta-V Industries. “They’re fast-moving, pragmatic, and committed to getting things into the air. We couldn’t ask for a better partner to validate our engines in real flight conditions.”
Both companies see this partnership as a launchpad for deeper cooperation in Australia’s growing private space sector. The ethanol engine flight is currently scheduled for later this year, with final timing subject to qualification and range approvals.
Addressing Australia’s Space Industry Challenges
The collaboration comes as Australia’s space sector grapples with significant structural challenges that have historically limited the country’s participation in the global space economy. Sunburnt Space Co., based in Brookvale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, represents a new generation of Australian space companies working to address these barriers.
One of the most pressing issues facing the Australian space industry is brain drain. Too many brilliant engineers leave Australia to pursue aerospace careers overseas or end up working in mining instead of space technology. Sunburnt Space Co. was founded specifically to create opportunities where young Australians can dream big, work hard, and stay in the country to build the future of space exploration.
“I’ve got access to a bunch of people, students and STEM projects that don’t have any money to fly,” Younger explained in a recent interview. The company’s approach of partnering with graduate students has accelerated their research and development process, turning theoretical rocket designs into prototype engines.
Safety and Cost Advantages Drive Fuel Choice
Delta-V’s ethanol engine addresses critical challenges facing the global space industry around safety and cost. Traditional rocket fuels like hydrazine are highly toxic and sit on the EU’s list of substances of high concern, requiring expensive special handling procedures and posing serious health risks to ground crews.
Ethanol offers compelling advantages as a rocket fuel primarily through safety and economics. Brazilian research at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) estimates that ethanol-based fuel could cost approximately $35 per kilogram compared to $700/kg for imported hydrazine. When considering that satellites carry more than 100 kg of propellant, the cost savings become significant.
The primary benefit is operational safety. Ethanol is significantly safer to handle than toxic propellants like hydrazine, reducing ground crew exposure risks and safety protocol costs. The V-2 rockets developed by Nazi Germany used liquid oxygen and ethyl alcohol, proving the viability of ethanol as rocket fuel, with one of the main advantages being its water content, which provided cooling in larger rocket engines.
Building Sovereign Launch Capabilities
The partnership reflects Australia’s broader ambitions to develop sovereign space capabilities. Sunburnt Space Co.’s mission extends beyond individual rocket launches to building the infrastructure and expertise needed for Australia to compete on the world stage in space technology.
The company’s staged development approach starts with suborbital test flights to validate systems before progressing to orbital capabilities. Their first mission, Meggs Jr., aims to cross the Kármán line (100km altitude) in late 2026, representing one of the first fully Australian-built rockets to reach space from Australian soil.
This grassroots approach contrasts sharply with traditional aerospace development, which typically involves massive government contracts and decades-long development cycles. Sunburnt Space’s lean methodology demonstrates how modern startups can accelerate innovation in traditionally slow-moving industries.
Lean Innovation in Aerospace
The Sunburnt Space and Delta-V partnership exemplifies capital-efficient innovation strategies crucial for startup success in aerospace. Rather than each company attempting to develop complete rocket systems independently, they’ve strategically divided responsibilities based on core competencies.
Before securing his Brookvale factory, Younger validated market demand through direct customer outreach. He door-knocked local businesses around Brookvale, asking if they would pay $75 to put their business card on a rocket. With ten companies agreeing, he felt confident about scaling to larger opportunities.
“When I first started, before I even got the factory, I wanted to see if I could make some money,” Younger said. This grassroots market validation approach demonstrates lean startup principles applied to aerospace – an industry notorious for building products in isolation from customer needs.
International Competitive Context
The collaboration positions both companies within the broader “New Space” economy, where commercial companies are increasingly replacing government agencies as primary drivers of innovation. This shift favors agile startups over traditional aerospace contractors, creating opportunities for companies willing to challenge established practices.
Companies developing safer alternatives to toxic propellants like hydrazine position themselves advantageously as safety regulations tighten. In Europe, questions persist about how long hydrazine will remain approved under REACH regulations, which have controlled chemical authorization since 2007.
The success of companies like SpaceX has demonstrated that breakthrough innovation in aerospace often comes from outside traditional industry players. Sunburnt Space Co. and Delta-V Industries represent Australia’s entry into this global competition for next-generation space technologies.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming ethanol engine test represents more than a technical milestone for both companies. Success could accelerate adoption of safer propellants while demonstrating Australia’s growing capabilities in space technology. The international space community will be watching closely as these two Australian startups attempt to prove that safer alternatives and strategic partnerships can compete with aerospace giants.
For Sunburnt Space Co., the partnership with Delta-V Industries validates their collaborative approach to rocket development while potentially providing access to breakthrough propulsion technology. The first right of refusal on Delta-V’s bladeless pump technology could prove strategically valuable as both companies scale their operations.
The test flight during Outback Launch Week this October will mark a significant step toward making Australia a credible player in the global space economy, while demonstrating that innovation in aerospace doesn’t require billion-dollar budgets – just smart partnerships and the determination to challenge established practices.
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