XCOR Aerospace and United Launch Alliance have demonstrated successful piston pump tests. The piston pumps use cryogenic hydrogen (liquid H2) for high performance long life launch ambitions for their suborbital rocket the XCor Lynx.
The piston pumps being developed by the two companies can operate over a wide range of speeds and conditions. Rapid prototyping techniques have allowed the companies to develop the hydrogen piston pumps in just under four months.
One of the advantages of burning hydrogen is that the only byproduct is heat and water.
