Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
A LOX-Cooled, Pump-Fed Rocket Engine for Sample Return Applications, Phase I
Project Introduction
To-date, the realization of small-scale, high-performance propulsion systems for challenging in-space maneuvers requiring high delta-V and acceleration over a short period of time (i.e. sample return), has largely been limited by the lack of regeneratively-cooled thrust chamber assemblies and turbopumps in the 100-1,000lbf thrust class. Ventions proposes to overcome this limitation by developing a 500lbf, LOX-cooled, pump-fed engine for in-space propulsion applications. The Phase I effort will focus on: 1. Overall design of a 500lbf engine; 2. Detailed design and fabrication of a sub-scale, LOX-cooled main combustion chamber; and 3. Experimental hot-fire testing of a LOX / IPA combustion chamber assembly to evaluate cooling channel performance and LOX quality at the injector inlet.
More »
Anticipated Benefits
The propulsion system proposed herein represents a low-cost technology that can be integrated into a number of spacecraft designs with the ultimate goal of providing high-performance liquid bipropellant rocket engines for challenging in-space missions. The use of LOX for regenerative cooling of the main combustion chamber enables propellant combinations, engine cycles and / or operating points not currently available for in-space missions. The availability of on-board pressurization for higher chamber pressure operation (without the excessive weight penalty of propellant storage tanks), can further result in a significant increase in the capability for missions requiring large Delta-V over a short period (such as sample return, powered landings and ascent, orbit insertion and change, etc.), thereby easing implementation of space borne operations through a combination of reduced size, weight, improved reliability and lower cost. Non-NASA commercial applications include: 1. Upper stage propulsion. 2. Apogee kick motors for small- and medium-scale spacecraft. 3. Standalone non-aerospace applications of the pump technology in industrial and desalination settings for water and cryogenics, and as an alternative to other high-pressure liquid pumps.
More »
Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ventions, LLC | Lead Organization | Industry | San Francisco, California |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Pasadena, California |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
Project Library
Share this Project
Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Organization:
- Ventions, LLC
Responsible Program:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Start: Feb 2012
End: Aug 2012
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 2 |
| Current: | 3 |
| Estimated End: | 3 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX01 Propulsion Systems
- TX01.1 Chemical Space Propulsion
- TX01.1.3 Cryogenic
Target Destination
Others Inside the Solar System
Suggest an Edit
Recommend changes and additions to this project record.
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.