Atmospheric-Breathing Supersonic Propulsion System for Future Planetary Exploration

We propose an Atmospheric-Breathing Supersonic Propulsion (ABSP) system for Future Planetary Exploration, to potentially deliver 20t of total payload onto the surface of Mars by providing the required amount of thrust using an atmospheric breathing ramjet engine. The advantage of such technology over the traditional Supersonic Retro Propulsion (SRP) system is to reduce the entry vehicle total mass by leveraging CO2 in the Martian atmosphere as oxidizer to combust with on-board solid propellant and generate thrust during the entry and descent phase. After completing this project, the human Mars EDL architecture will potentially use the ABSP system as another alternative technology for Mars entry and descent stages. We anticipate that funding, unknowns in engine cycle analysis code development, and experimental equipment procurement challenges may cause project delays and we will leverage lessons learned and the existing experimental apparatus from the FY22 CIF/IRAD to help mitigate any delays encountered.

The engine cycle analysis code, modeled thrust performance for different mission profiles, and the fuel injection system response surface will be finished by the end of the 2023 CIF and IRAD period of performance. The FY22 CIF/IRAD funding allowed us to hire interns who were able to develop and verify the engine cycle analysis code, as well as perform characterization experiments on the benchtop fuel delivery system, laying the groundwork for improved parametric analysis of Martian ABSP missions and powdered fuel delivery system improvements. After the project is matured and additional funding is secured, the cycle analysis code would continue to be developed and validated with additional experimental testing of a model flowpath including delivery and combustion of solid fuel. Without CIF/IRAD funding the ABSP project cannot continue and the main risk to the center is a loss of diversity in research into Mars EDL and exploration technologies.

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