Alternative Hydrocarbon Propulsion for Nano / Micro Launch Vehicle

The technical innovation proposed here is the application of an alternative hydrocarbon fuel – densified propylene, in combination with liquid oxygen (LOX) – that has the potential to enhance the performance of a proposed Nano / Micro Launch Vehicle (NMLV) enough such that a simple two-stage, pressure-fed configuration will be sufficient for orbital missions. Besides eliminating the third stage, the absence of turbopumps reduces hardware costs, improves overall system reliability and simplifies engine start-up. This project addresses Section 1.2.5 of the Technology Area 1 Roadmap as it raises the TRL of both a non-toxic alternative hydrocarbon fuel (propylene) and also propellant densification (subcooling propylene) to increase vehicle mass fraction performance. Programmatic innovation makes it possible to bring this propulsion technology to a TRL of 6 by the end of Phase II in the form of a 5K lbf-LOX/propylene first stage engine. This will be accomplished by leveraging an ongoing NMLV development program that has already produced a flight-proven LOX/ethanol 4.5K lbf-thrust engine that features a long-duration silica-phenolic ablative chamber.

Low-cost, two-stage dedicated NMLV for ELaNA-class academic CubeSat missions needing delivery of 10 kg to 250 kg circular orbits; Enhanced NMLV featuring a clustered set of booster stages for larger nanosat (20 kg) payloads that require circular orbits on the order of 450 km Deep space missions and planetary landers requiring higher performance chemical propulsion and for which propylene would be a storable fuel because of low environmental temperatures

Commercial imaging constellations that require dedicated NMLV service to achieve total control over trajectories and schedules

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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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