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Alternative Hydrocarbon Propulsion for Nano / Micro Launch Vehicle

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2012 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
115655 		Solicitation Year:
2011 		Solicitation Topic Code:
O2.01 		Solicitation Number:
Small Business Information
Garvey Spacecraft Corporation
389 Haines Avenue Long Beach, CA 90814-1841
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2012
Title: Alternative Hydrocarbon Propulsion for Nano / Micro Launch Vehicle
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX12CE98P
Award Amount: $124,647.00
 

Abstract:

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.

Principal Investigator:

Christopher M. Bostwick
Principal Investigator
6615479779
cbostwick@garvspace.com

Business Contact:

John Garvey
Business Official
5624982984
jmgarvey@garvspace.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Garvey Spacecraft Corporation
389 Haines Avenue Long Beach, CA 90814-1841

EIN/Tax ID: 330574794
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No