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CVD Rhenium Engines for Solar-Thermal Propulsion SystemsSolar-thermal upper-stage propulsion systems have the potential to provide specific impulse approaching 900 seconds, with 760 seconds already demonstrated in ground testing. Such performance levels offer a 100% increase in payload capability compared to state-of-the-art chemical upper-stage systems, at lower cost. Although alternatives such as electric propulsion offer even greater performance, the 6- to 18- month orbital transfer time is a far greater deviation from the state of the art than the one to two months required for solar propulsion. Rhenium metal is the only material that is capable of withstanding the predicted thermal, mechanical, and chemical environment of a solar-thermal propulsion device. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the most well-established and cost-effective process for the fabrication of complex rhenium structures. CVD rhenium engines have been successfully constructed for the Air Force ISUS program (bimodal thrust/electricity) and the NASA Shooting Star program (thrust only), as well as under an Air Force SBIR project (thrust only). The bimodal engine represents a more long-term and versatile approach to solar-thermal propulsion, while the thrust-only engines provide a potentially lower weight/lower cost and more near-term replacement for current upper-stage propulsion systems.
Document ID
19990102613
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Williams, Brian E.
(Ultramet Co. Pacoima, CA United States)
Fortini, Arthur J.
(Ultramet Co. Pacoima, CA United States)
Tuffias, Robert H.
(Ultramet Co. Pacoima, CA United States)
Duffy, Andrew J.
(Ultramet Co. Pacoima, CA United States)
Tucker, Stephen P.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1999
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: Renewable and Advanced Energy Systems for the 21st Century
Location: Mau, HI
Country: United States
Start Date: April 11, 1999
End Date: April 15, 1999
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-97236
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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