Micro Thruster Development with Green Propellant at mN and microN levels

The objective is to develop a high-efficiency micro-thruster using green propellant with electrospray injector that will ultimately provide micro-satellites with the performance required to enable the replacement of large, expensive, multi-role satellites with inexpensive, short-lead time, distributed systems of micro-satellites. The objectives of the project is the development of single emitter and multiple emitter injectors for doped kerosene; to develop a fundamental understanding of droplet transport, evaporation, and mixing in the complex swirling flow fields required for meso-scale flame stabilization; and the system integration of meso-scale thrust chamber with electrospray fuel injection system. A single emitter electrospray configuration will be developed and the performance benchmarked using Phase Doppler Particle Analysis to determine the droplet size distribution as a function of flow rate. The nature of droplet transport and evaporation at the meso-scale will be studied using non-intrusive laser based techniques. The electrospray injector will be integrated into the existing heat regenerating thrust chamber and fired with kerosene/H2O2.

The development of these micro-thrusters would serve as a technology demonstration for a volumetrically efficient 3-axis stabilization and primary propulsion scheme for micro-satellite missions, providing the required high pointing accuracy and full range of attitude adjustment characteristic of larger satellites.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.