Blencowe Resources (LSE:BRES) reported that graphite from its Orom-Cross Project in Uganda was used across several components of a hypersonic rocket that reached Mach 5.5 during a U.S. test programme.
The flight took place on August 18 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and was conducted by Pluto Aerospace alongside American Energy Technologies Co (AETC), Purdue University and U.S. Government Agencies. Blencowe Chief Operating Officer Iain Wearing attended the test.
The solid-fuel rocket reached acceleration approaching 150G, an increase from the performance recorded during an earlier test programme in April.
Orom-Cross graphite tested across multiple rocket components
Graphite supplied from Orom-Cross was incorporated into an ablative rocket nozzle insert, anti-friction and ice-phobic coatings applied to the rocket’s fins, and the lithium-ion battery used to power the vehicle’s altimeter.
AETC manufactured graphite mouldings for rocket and missile exhaust nozzles using Orom-Cross concentrates supplied by Blencowe. The material replaced a proportion of the synthetic graphite typically used in these applications.
The lithium-ion battery incorporated natural graphite supplied by Blencowe alongside recycled graphite produced through AETC’s direct recycling process. According to the company, the battery contained no synthetic graphite.
The August flight used a substantially larger motor than the rocket tested in April. Further orbital testing is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Blencowe continues testing Orom-Cross graphite applications
Blencowe said the testing programme is examining the potential use of Orom-Cross graphite in specialist aerospace and defence applications as the company advances the project towards production.
The company said successful qualification in these applications could create opportunities for additional offtake relationships and strategic funding, although no new agreements were announced in the supplied information.
Blencowe Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce said: “These results continue to highlight the emergence of Orom-Cross graphite as an important source of high-quality graphite products for use in military and aerospace applications. There are relatively few graphite projects worldwide capable of supplying the quality of products required for these specialist applications, which may open new offtake relationships and strategic opportunities and places Orom-Cross in a strong position moving forward as we advance towards first production.”
“As we complete funding for P1 Production and move to building the first stage of operations, we are continuously testing new products and adding new offtakers, each of which builds further value within the Project. Our strategy is to differentiate Orom-Cross from other graphite projects by targeting the most lucrative markets available to us, through both our products and strategic relationships.”
Leave a Reply