NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : High-Performance Dinitramine-Based Monopropellants

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

The current monopropellants fail to meet the future requirements of spacecraft thrusters due to their environmental problems and limited performance. ORBITEC proposes to develop new, environmentally benign, high-performance, monopropellants based on solutions of dinitramide anion [N(NO2)]- or other anionic oxidizers in amine or organic solvent-based liquids. The dinitramide anion is soluble in organic solvents. Subtopic 15.03 calls for the development of new monopropellants for use in space vehicles, that have higher density, higher environmental safety and low toxicity. This proposal satisfies this goal. Current monopropellant systems based on hydrazine and a catalyst or bipropellant systems such as nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) and monomethylhydrazine (MMH) have toxicity issues related to either the hydrazine derivatives or to NTO. The Phase I effort will characterize our proposed monoproellants, by analysis, experiment, and combustion testing. Phase II will involve the design and construction of a large production plant and rocket engine thrusters that are suited for the use of the monopropellant.

ORBITEC has plans to develop specialized propellant production systems and propulsion hardware that utilizes the new monopropellants. The potential for the monopropellants proposed here are considerable. The attractive attributes of low cost, ease in handling, less toxicity, higher performance, etc., make these propellants very attractive replacements for many current propulsion applications. Candidate applications are: attitude control for S/C, OTV's, upper stages, STS, Space Station, orbital maneuvering propulsion systems, small stage main propulsion systems, etc.

Dr. Eric E. Rice
Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITECTM)
Space Center, 1212 Fourier Drive
Madison, WI 53717

Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITECTM)
Space Center, 1212 Fourier Drive
Madison, WI 53717