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Development of Ionic Liquid Monopropellants for In-Space PropulsionA family of new, low toxicity, high energy monopropellants is currently being evaluated at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for in-space rocket engine applications such as reaction control engines. These ionic liquid monopropellants, developed in recent years by the Air Force Research Laboratory, could offer system simplification, less in-flight thermal management, and reduced handling precautions, while increasing propellant energy density as compared to traditional storable in-space propellants such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. However, challenges exist in identifying ignition schemes for these ionic liquid monopropellants, which are known to burn at much hotter combustion temperatures compared to traditional monopropellants such as hydrazine. The high temperature combustion of these new monopropellants make the use of typical ignition catalyst beds prohibitive since the catalyst cannot withstand the elevated temperatures. Current research efforts are focused on monopropellant ignition and burn rate characterization, parameters that are important in the fundamental understanding of the monopropellant behavior and the eventual design of a thruster. Laboratory studies will be conducted using alternative ignition techniques such as laser-induced spark ignition and hot wire ignition. Ignition delay, defined as the time between the introduction of the ignition source and the first sign of light emission from a developing flame kernel, will be measured using Schlieren visualization. An optically-accessible liquid monopropellant burner will be used to determine propellant burn rate as a function of pressure and initial propellant temperature. The burn rate will be measured via high speed imaging through the chamber s windows.
Document ID
20050210109
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Blevins, John A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Osborne, Robin
(Engineering Research and Consulting, Inc. United States)
Drake, Gregory W.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: 53rd JPM/2nd LPS/SP Joint Meeting
Location: Monterey, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: December 5, 2005
End Date: December 8, 2005
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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