Detonation Rocketry at Illinois
The engine
starts here.
Resonance is our liquid oxygen and liquid methane research engine—and the evidence to show what it can really do.
A combustion wave that never has to stop.
In a conventional rocket engine, propellants burn continuously. A rotating detonation engine aims to sustain a shock-driven combustion wave around an annular chamber. Resonance is Detonation Rocketry at Illinois's attempt to make that idea work with liquid oxygen and liquid methane in a compact, instrumented research engine.
How the engine works+ O₂
The goal is bigger than making fire.
Prove the wave.
Measure the thrust.
Keep the engine alive.
Our first article is designed around three questions: does a rotating detonation persist after ignition, how much calibrated thrust does it produce, and can the cooled hardware survive a sustained run?
See the research planDesigned for a real test campaign.
A replaceable injector head, actively cooled walls, an independent predetonator, and fast pressure measurements are all part of the current concept. Every part is being developed around the evidence the test must produce.
Inspect the concept model
Good engineering takes partners.
We're looking for manufacturing, inspection, instrumentation, and funding partners who want to help turn this research engine into tested hardware.
Partner with Resonance