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On-Board Chemical Propulsion TechnologyOn-board propulsion functions include orbit insertion, orbit maintenance, constellation maintenance, precision positioning, in-space maneuvering, de-orbiting, vehicle reaction control, planetary retro, and planetary descent/ascent. This paper discusses on-board chemical propulsion technology, including bipropellants, monopropellants, and micropropulsion. Bipropellant propulsion has focused on maximizing the performance of Earth storable propellants by using high-temperature, oxidation-resistant chamber materials. The performance of bipropellant systems can be increased further, by operating at elevated chamber pressures and/or using higher energy oxidizers. Both options present system level difficulties for spacecraft, however. Monopropellant research has focused on mixtures composed of an aqueous solution of hydroxl ammonium nitrate (HAN) and a fuel component. HAN-based monopropellants, unlike hydrazine, do not present a vapor hazard and do not require extraordinary procedures for storage, handling, and disposal. HAN-based monopropellants generically have higher densities and lower freezing points than the state-of-art hydrazine and can higher performance, depending on the formulation. High-performance HAN-based monopropellants, however, have aggressive, high-temperature combustion environments and require advances in catalyst materials or suitable non-catalytic ignition options. The objective of the micropropulsion technology area is to develop low-cost, high-utility propulsion systems for the range of miniature spacecraft and precision propulsion applications.
Document ID
20040061966
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Reed, Brian D.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 2004
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-2004-212698
E-14201
Report Number: NASA/TM-2004-212698
Report Number: E-14201
Meeting Information
Meeting: Tenth International Workshop on Combustion and Propulsion
Location: La Spezia
Country: Italy
Start Date: September 21, 2003
End Date: September 25, 2003
Sponsors: Politecnico di Milano
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS-22-755-70-02
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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