Green Propulsion - A USAF Overview
Abstract
Recent U.S. Air Force programs are aiming to develop reduced toxicity propellants. In solid propulsion, investigation was performed for alternatives to ammonium perchlorate-based, space launch propellant. This was principally conducted under the auspices of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). This program was recently successfully concluded with a finding that green', ammonium nitrate-based propellant could be produced with performance that is similar to conventional propellant. For bipropulsion systems, USAF has worked toward the long range goal of producing a Space Maneuver Vehicle (SMV). The potential of replacing the storable bipropellant pair, dinitrogen tetroxide/monomethylhydrazine (NTO/MMH), with a green' alternative like hydrogen peroxide/hydrocarbon is attractive. Consequently, Congress directed USAF to conduct an SMV technical demonstration program aimed toward developing a higher performance engine for the peroxide/hydrocarbon propellant combination. Current U.S. Air Force programs are also aiming to develop reduced toxicity monopropellant formulations to replace spacecraft hydrazine monopropellant and exceed the monopropellant performance objective specified by the Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) Program. The creation of such monopropellants can offer considerable cost savings associated with the handling and loading of propellants, longer spacecraft service life, smaller vehicle design, or heavier payloads. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) approach to replacing hydrazine is the development of energetic liquid salt mixtures with substantially less vapor toxicity and superior performance (specific impulse and density).These liquid salt mixtures show promise as one avenue toward replacement of hydrazine monopropellant. During the last year, work has centered on the production and characterization of a few of these reduced toxicity monopropellant formulations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA405749
Entities
People
- Tom W. Hawkins
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory