Validating a Novel RDRE Nozzle Optimization Approach

Quadrus is pleased to present this Phase II proposal to continue development of a computational optimization approach for improving nozzle performance in rotating detonation rocket engines (RDRE). In Phase I, we demonstrated the feasibility of an advanced nozzle design optimization approach for a RDRE we call the Next-generation Enabling eXtreme Temperature RDRE, or NEXT-RDRE. NEXT-RDRE is an additively manufactured (AM) RDRE that uses the most advanced refractory materials in an optimized, lightweight configuration designed to provide excellent Isp performance while withstanding the punishing environment of detonative combustion. This Phase I effort focused on utilizing a combination of novel computational/simulation methods allowing strategic efforts to begin to define best practice for high area ratio nozzle design and optimization. Prior to our Phase I success, RDRE nozzle design and optimization was poorly understood due to unknown impacts of rotating detonation waves to fundamental gas dynamic expansion behavior. Our approach is meant to develop a best practice process in RDRE nozzle optimization, which required deep insight into how rotating detonation flow changes supersonic expansion behavior, particularly with upper stage and in-space nozzles with area ratios greater than 100. We resolved that approach by focusing on answering on the question “how much does the presence of rotating detonation waves superimposed on the primary axial flowfield affect nozzle performance?” Answering that question is directly relevant to the current goals of eliminating a primary technology gap toward fully exploiting the promise of enhanced RDRE performance. Our proposed effort will begin to collect hot fire testing data with a variety of low and moderate area ratio nozzle configurations and will lay the groundwork for extending the process to nozzle area ratios >100. Our intended near term application is to a GCP-funded RDRE development being led at MSFC.

NASA’s Artemis program – many potential applications for RDRE as evidenced by the MSFC program focused on this technology. The plan is to collaborate fully with NASA to develop optimized RDRE for a wide variety of applications as described above. Blue Origin, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris are all potential customers. Looking to remain a key player in the emerging Cislunar economy, Aerojet Rocketdyne (recently acquired by L3 Harris) has been studying and testing RDRE engines for over a decade. Applications of their RDRE engine designs also include a new generation of emerging small-medium launch vehicle developers. Raytheon is executing a DARPA contract to develop a working rotating detonation engine demonstrator (RDE). This program is called “Gambit”, and their goal is to produce a more compact, higher efficiency propulsion system with much lower running costs. Venus Aerospace announced in January 2024 the results of their work with NASA’s MSFC to test its design of an RDRE engine for hypersonic applications (including their own Stargazer hypersonic aircraft currently in development). We will utilize the ongoing NASA collaboration to introduce our advances to the Venus team.

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.

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.