Long Life, Catalytic Advanced Green Monopropellant Thrusters

Sienna Technologies, Inc, proposes to develop a robust, long life, catalytically ignited thruster that can perform multiple cold starts at low preheat temperatures (<<425˚C) using high performance green AF-M315E monopropellant that can provide a range of mission specific thrust levels for NASA SMD's sample return missions. In Phase I we will improve upon Sienna's industry leading SSC-111 catalyst and demonstrate its multiple cold start capability at low preheat temperatures (well below state-of-the-art 425˚C) in sea-level laboratory tests.

The development of a long life AF-M315E advanced green monopropellant propulsion system with multiple low temperature cold start capability could have significant benefits to a wide range of NASA space exploration programs including Mars cargo delivery, robotic sample return, and asteroid redirect missions.

The nontoxic, easy to fuel propulsion subsystems would have widespread application for U.S. commercial satellite payloads, such as worldwide cellular phone communication satellites, TV direct broadcast satellites, weather observation satellites and environmental monitoring satellites to name just a few.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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