Water Electrolysis Propulsion System Testing
Abstract
A twenty-four month program was conducted to demonstrate the life capability of a water electrolysis propulsion system and to develop flightweight 5-lbf and 0.1-lbf GO2/GH2 thrusters. A water electrolysis propulsion system was tested for 33 weeks at an accelerated rate to demonstrate its capabilities. The electrolysis unit experienced a loss of voltage on one cell after 19 weeks of testing. Design modifications and repairs were made after which an additional 14 weeks of testing were accomplished with no degradation in performance. The flightweight 5-lbf engine accumulated 152,015 pulses and 4.16 hours of firing demonstrating a steady state Isp of 355 seconds. The flightweight 0.1-lbf engine demonstrated a steady state Isp of 331 seconds while accumulating 301,726 pulses and 10.07 hours of firing time.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA004886
Entities
People
- John G. Campbell
- R. Carl Stechman Jr