LOx / LCH4: A Unifying Technology for Future Exploration
Project Introduction
Reduced mass due to increasing commonality between spacecraft subsystems such as power and propulsion have been identified as critical to enabling human missions to Mars. This project represents the first ever integrated propulsion and power system testing and lays the foundations for future sounding rocket flight testing, which will yield the first in-space ignition of a LOx / LCH4 rocket engine.
A brass-board liquid oxygen / liquid methane (LOx / LCH4) pressure fed propulsion subsystem sized to eventually fit on a sounding rocket will be developed and tested. The subsystem will feature active helium re-pressurization and integrated main engine and reaction control systems (RCS). Concurrently, a brass-board fuel cell power system will be developed and tested. The power system features a Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) manufactured by Delphi capable of producing 1 kW of power from Oxygen and Methane reactants.
Once characterization testing of the propulsion and power subsystems is complete, the subsystems will be integrated and further testing will be performed. LOx / LCH4 stored cryogenically in the propulsion subsystem propellant tanks will be used by the SOFC subsystem to produce power which will be used to operate valves, sensors, etc. on the propulsion system. A flight-like firing profile will be performed featuring both main and RCS engines to provide a space-power profile to the SOFC.
6/1/16 STATUS:
A 1kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell manufactured by Delphi Automotive was integrated into a test stand at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for space power profile testing. The system was initially run and characterized on pure oxygen and a hydrogen/nitrogen blend. The polarization test indicated a healthy fuel cell with fairly minimal loss of voltage from its previous test in 2009 (about .05V/cell) and also showed an impressive one-pass oxygen utilization rates between 70 – 85%. The SOFC was also run through various current variation profiles to test response time and transient jumps. The SOFC was able to respond to all user inputs, including a maximum increase of 400W. Initial testing was only able to test the fuel cell up to 37A (about 1kW), less than its 60A maximum. A second load bank was added to the system to increase the load demand and test the SOFC at a higher amperage.
Concurrently, a steam methane reformer (SMR) was solicited for and procured through an RFP process. This reformer will be added to the fuel cell power module to reform methane into a hydrogen-rich fuel stream and allow the fuel cell to operate in an integrated fashion with the main propulsion system. JSC expects delivery of the SMR by June ’16 and will begin integration efforts shortly thereafter.
The propulsion brassboard has been designed, fabricated and is in final assembly whereupon it will hot-fired for checkout prior to integration with the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.
More »Anticipated Benefits
The Human Mars Design Reference Architecture (DRA 5.0) study shows insitu-resource utilization (ISRU) and liquid oxygen / liquid methane (LOx / LCH4) as enabling technologies for human-scale Mars missions. Due to the very high cost of getting mass to Mars, it is critical that spacecraft components be mass and volume efficient. A spacecraft design which emphasizes a highly integrated architecture, with a reduced number of fluids across spacecraft subsystems, stored in common tankage, and sharing common components and processes has the potential to result in a smaller, lower mass, operationally flexible spacecraft, with reduced design, development, testing and operational costs. This project takes the initial steps towards demonstrating this integrated architecture with focus on propulsion and power operated from LOx / LCH4 commodities.
Green propellants such as liquid oxygen / liquid methane propulsion technologies offer a safer, lower-cost, higher performance option for in-space propulsion when compared to traditional propellants such as nitrogen tetroxide / monomethylhydrazine (NTO / MMH). These savings could benefit various commercial launch (upper-stage) and satellite applications.
Furthermore, Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technologies enable high-density, portable power options which do not rely on high purity reactants. SOFCs have applications in the commercial transportation industry, where they are being used as the both primary and secondary power sources for automobiles / commercial trucks.
Green propellants, such as liquid oxygen / liquid methane, offer a safer, lower-cost, higher performance option for in-space propulsion when compared to traditional propellants such as nitrogen tetroxide / monomethylhydrazine (NTO / MMH). These savings could benefit various Department of Defense (DoD) spacecraft applications.
Furthermore, Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technologies enable high-density, portable power options which do not rely on high purity reactants. SOFCs have applications in DoD systems as well as in the commercial transportation industry (Department of Transportation).
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Johnson Space Center
(JSC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Houston, Texas |
Glenn Research Center
(GRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Co-Funding Partners | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Delphi | Industry |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Ohio
-
Texas
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Responsible Program:
- Center Innovation Fund: JSC CIF
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Project Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Co-Investigator:
Project Duration
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 4 |
| Current: | 4 |
| Estimated End: | 5 |
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX01 Propulsion Systems
- TX01.1 Chemical Space Propulsion
- TX01.1.3 Cryogenic
