Zero-gravity Green Propellant Management Technology

A relatively new domestically-produced green propellant from AFRL, AFM-315E, is gaining attention in the spaceflight field. Crucial to continued development of this new technology is the demonstration of surface tension propellant management in low-gravity. Propellant management is performed with the sheet metal vanes of a propellant management device, or PMD (also known as liquid or fluid acquisition devices.) Proposed is one sub-orbital rocket flight for an automated payload to demonstrate the zero-gravity surface tension propellant management of AFM-315E. Technology Maturation Two tank and PMD combinations are proposed: one representing typical PMD for a GEO satellite and one representing a typical PMD from an inter-planetary spacecraft. Acquisition of video data during low-g portion of the rocket flight will move the TRL of zero-gravity surface tension propellant management of AFM-315E from TRL 4 to TRL 5.

Demonstrating surface tension propellant management of a relatively new domestically produced green propellant technology will benefit the commercial space industry, future NASA missions and other government agencies such as the Department of Defense. Future Customers This aids the Green Propellant Infusion Mission and can impact many future missions and vehicles.

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