RCS Gas Generation System

In this phase I effort a design for a gas generation system architecture tailored for RCS gas accumulators on lander vehicles with ultra-low mass and thermal mass BHL components will be produced and PDR for the system will be conducted. GTL will modify its existing gas generation system for demonstration and component comparison testing. GTL will study the validity and applicability to lander systems of three potential gas generation system architectures. Given GTL’s experience with cryogen, gas generation, and launch systems, the phase II will enable two milestones to be achieved for this system architecture: 1) expanding the systems to produce oxygen and hydrogen gas, and 2) prepare the system to be flight tested aboard GTL’s ACE-Disruptor rocket. These milestones will both broaden the system architecture’s capabilities and provide a clear path to TRL 7.

Many NASA launch vehicles, transfer stages, or landing crafts could potentially benefit from this gas generation system architecture. This technology would be able to replace traditional, high volume, high mass pressurant tanks systems with a standalone gas generation system.

Much the same as with the NASA applications, this technology is widely applicable to a large number of DOD and private aerospace companies. Any in space system could potentially employ a gas generation system to replace traditional propellant systems.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.