Low pressure ignition testing of a hybrid smallsat motor

Elizabeth T. Jens, Ashley C. Karp, Kyle Wiliams, Barry Nakazono, Jason Rabinovitch, David Dyrda, Flora Mechentel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

A Poly[Methyl MethAcrylate] (PMMA) and Gaseous Oxygen (GOx) hybrid motor was tested under a flight-like (low pressure) environment, maturing the technology to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5. The goal of this testing was to mature a restartable hybrid motor with an Isp greater than 300 s and a design that could provide 800 m/s of ∆V to a 25 kg wet spacecraft, which could support the science needs of future interplanetary SmallSat missions. The hybrid propulsion system tested here is compact enough to fit within 12U, but flexible enough to be scaled to meet different mission requirements. The chosen propellant combination is nontoxic, facilitating its integration as a secondary payload. A flight-like motor was designed, built and tested. An existing vacuum chamber at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) was brought back online and adapted to test the motor. A new feed system was also assembled with a flight-quality main oxidizer valve. The reference mission, Mars orbit insertion and Phobos/Deimos flybys, suggested 8 to 12 maneuvers may be needed, leading to the selection of 24 motor restarts to demonstrate a factor of two margin. These burns are required to complete trajectory correction maneuvers, orbit insertion, and post-insertion maneuvers. As a result, 24 ignitions were demonstrated using two different igniter technologies in a vacuum environment.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition, 2019
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
EventAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition, 2019 - Indianapolis, United States
Duration: 19 Aug 201922 Aug 2019

Publication series

NameAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition, 2019

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition, 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityIndianapolis
Period19/08/1922/08/19

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