B-Mode AF-315E Propulsion Demonstration

The project will develop an integrated propulsion system with a single propellant reservoir to feed both a 1N chemical combustion engine for high thrust operation, and a pair of micro electrospray propulsion (MEP) thrusters for high specific impulse operation. Experiments will demonstrate the critical function of the propellant feed system to both thrusters, and demonstrate a characteristic proof of concept approaching TRL 3 of the integrated system. Both the combustion engine and MEP thrusters have been operated on AF-315E green propellant with excellent performance. However, the combustion engine requires high pressure propellant to feed the thruster, while the Micro Electro Spray (MEP) thrusters are loaded by wetting a propellant sponge prior to thruster integration. Also, the Micro Electro Spray (MEP) system has two major challenges with integration of a common propellant reservoir: (1) MEP thruster propellant is exposed to vacuum prior to operation, causing the water content of propellant to boil off during propellant transfer, and (2) propellant will experience electrical charging.

1. STMD Game Changing Development invested in the MIT MEP thruster effort. 2. MSFC invested IRAD funds in this project. 3. Potential future MSFC investment through Technology Investment Program; or GRC investment

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