Advanced Diagnostic Development Facility for Space Propulsion

The recent dramatic increase in space exploration and commercial space activity has resulted in an equally expansive growth in the types of in-space propulsion systems needed. For example, deep space exploration missions have very different propulsion requirements than station keeping for a low-Earth orbit communications array. To meet this diversity of propulsion needs, researchers are developing propulsion systems that achieve high-thrust and high-specific impulse; high thrust and low-specific impulse; low thrust and high specific impulse; and even low thrust and low specific impulse. The mechanisms for creating the propellent exhaust include conventional combustion systems; electric propulsion systems including Hall thrusters, ion engines, rf thrusters, and electron cyclotron resonance thrusters; dual fuel systems in which the propellant either combusts with an oxidizer or can be ionized and accelerated electrically; solid fuel, liquid fuel, conventional pressurized gas systems; and even cold gas micro propulsion systems intended for micro and nano scale spacecraft. A key part of the development process of in-space propulsion systems is testing and certification for flight. In a variety of facilities at NASA Centers, universities, and industry, researchers measure the thrust and specific impulse of the propulsion systems; their long-term survivability; the interactions of the exhaust plume with spacecraft materials; and their power consumption requirements. Given the wide range of fuel types and propulsion system operating conditions, there is an ongoing need to develop new diagnostic methods capable of obtaining measurements of exhaust speed, plume structure, thruster erosion, and exhaust plume composition. We propose to build the capacity to develop new, non-perturbative diagnostics capable of measuring the exhaust velocity, interaction of the exhaust with ambient neutrals, and plume morphology for novel propellants such as solid iodine and atmospheric gasses (as would be used in air-breathing propulsion systems). Using these new diagnostic tools, we will initially address two questions regarding the performance of a specific in-space propulsion system (1) How does the thruster exhaust in a test chamber couple to the background neutral gas and how does that neutral gas subsequently interact with the thruster test system? (2) How does the exhaust velocity and plume structure of an iodine fueled resistojet vary with resistojet temperature and nozzle geometry? A key feature of the proposed measurements is that they will be accomplished with sub-mm spatial resolution and non-invasively, i.e., completely through optical measurements. Space research in WV has been undergoing rapid expansion. Five new faculty in space research have been hired at West Virginia University (WVU) in the last four years (two in Aerospace Engineering and three in Physics and Astronomy). In 2019, a collaboration involving WVU, the local NASA Katherine Johnson facility, and regional industrial partners launched the first spacecraft designed and built in WV (STF-1, the Simulation-To-Flight mission). And in 2022, researchers at WVU received over $900K in funding from the National EDA to develop the WV Small Satellite Center of Excellence. These recent developments, plus WVU’s long-standing expertise in spectroscopic measurement of flows in plasmas, have laid the foundation for a robust research program in spacecraft propulsion at WVU. This project will develop the infrastructure necessary to be competitive for future funding opportunities (for individual research programs and center-level research programs), will create a strong environment for recruiting and training students, and will support the burgeoning space-related capabilities in the state of West Virginia. Targeted Area of Interest: A.4: STMD, SMD. Center: MSFC. Topic: Develop advanced propulsion technologies that enable future science/exploration missions.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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