Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
High Chamber Pressure, Light Weight Thrusters
Project Description
The performance liquid propellant engines can be significantly improved by increasing both combustion temperature and pressure and reducing engine weight. State of the art Bi-propellant engines are metallic; the highest temperature combustion chambers are made of iridium/rhenium metals. Utilizing carbon-carbon composites for thrust chamber structures can reduce component weight by as much as 90%. Unfortunately carbon composites suffer from unacceptably high oxidation rates. Lining carbon-carbon chambers with a thin layer of iridium or iridium/rhenium is an innovative way to provide the oxidation barrier necessary to enable the use of carbon-carbon composites. This proposal evaluates using metal-lined carbon-carbon to produce high pressure, light weight thrust chambers.
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Anticipated Benefits
Rocket nozzles for satellites and military. Metal lined carbon composite technology has applications for crucibles, heat pipes, propulsion subcomponents, x-ray targets, sputtering targets, turbines, rotors, furnaces, power generation
Mars Ascent Vehicle, Altair Ascent Module, reaction control systems, in-space propulsion, attitude control, orbit maintenance, repositioning of satellites/spacecraft, and descent/ascent engines, nuclear power/propulsion, microgravity containment crucibles and cartridges. More »
Mars Ascent Vehicle, Altair Ascent Module, reaction control systems, in-space propulsion, attitude control, orbit maintenance, repositioning of satellites/spacecraft, and descent/ascent engines, nuclear power/propulsion, microgravity containment crucibles and cartridges. More »
Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma Processes, LLC | Lead Organization | Industry | Huntsville, Alabama |
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Huntsville, Alabama |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Alabama
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This is a historic project that was completed before the creation of TechPort on October 1, 2012. Available data has been included. This record may contain less data than currently active projects.