Additively Manufactured Liquid Injection Thrust Vector Control System

Parabilis Space Technologies is pleased to propose the development of a Liquid Injection Thrust Vector Control (LITVC) system integrated into a regeneratively cooled, additively manufactured nozzle in response to solicitation S4.03, Spacecraft Technology for Sample Return Missions. The use of additive manufacturing and regenerative cooling prevents nozzle erosion near the injection ports, enables optimization of the nozzle surface for global system efficiency, and allows incorporation of high efficiency side force throttling techniques. The proposed innovation addresses the steering needs of sample return missions through the use of a high-performance LITVC system integrated into a regeneratively cooled, additively manufactured nozzle. The proposed system integrates extremely efficiently with Parabilis' aft-injection center exhaust (ACE) architecture. The system is particularly synergistic with JPL's hybrid rocket motor architecture proposed for Mars sample return, but it is beneficial for other missions as well.

The proposed propulsion system is applicable to a number of current and future NASA programs. This technology is directly targeted for a potential Mars sample return mission under development by JPL that would launch in the 2020-time frame, however, it would be applicable to other missions as well. The proposed technology has significant benefits for terrestrial propulsion systems as well and is synergistic with hybrid Nanolaunch stages Parabilis is currently developing for NASA.

Commercial terrestrial launch vehicles will also benefit greatly from this technology. There is developing market for low cost launch vehicle providers, several of which have been proposed that use, or potentially use, hybrid rocket motor technology. Hybrid rocket motors using LITVC fit easily within the economical strategic visions for these low-cost launch vehicles.

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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