Lifetime Improvement of Large Scale Green Monopropellant Thrusters via Novel, Long-Life Catalysts, Phase I

Potential NASA applications of the green monopropellant rocket include missions to the moon, NEO and Mars. As with SOA reaction control rockets the green monoprop is radiation-cooled and restart-able, making it a simple yet reliable propulsion option. Storability and reliability are important factors especially for missions supporting NASA's manned spaceflight. The low toxicity of the propellants will benefit both the ground crew and the astronauts. Without the need for excessive safety measures, overall operational cost can be reduced. The proposed technology is easily scalable in the 0.1-100N thrust range, which opens the door for small- and nano-satellite applications. Market size for green monopropellant thrusters is very large. In addition to NASA, all branches of the military have potential interests in such propulsion for tactical or in-space applications. The non-toxic storable feature of the propellants makes them prime candidates for preloaded systems that can accommodate speedy launch operations. Because the proposed thruster has the potential for extended life without performance degradation, developers of small satellites will likely consider it for both reaction control and primary propulsion. This versatility will help broaden market access. A successful Phase II program will lead to direct sales or licensing of the green monopropellant thruster and its novel, long-life catalyst. More »