Characterization & analysis on electrolytic decomposition of hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) ternary mixtures in microreactors

Rapid development of micropropulsion systems arose from growing interest on micro- and nanosatellites. Utilization of liquid energetic materials such as hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide as propellant in propulsion yielded promising results. However, safety issue remains a great concern as hydrazine is highly toxic. This drives the development of propellants towards lower toxicity and more environmental friendly, namely green propellants. Hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) was selected among three green propellants due to its high energy density in addition to ease in storage and handling properties. In order to understand the effect of addition of fuel into HAN binary solution, electrolytic decomposition of zero oxygen balance HAN ternary mixture in thermal isolated beaker was performed at macroscale. Addition of a fuel to binary HAN solution generally has more stages of decomposition, as opposed to single stage in binary HAN solution. Rate of temperature increase in the first stage of decomposition (Ṫ1) was found to be directly proportional to electrical resistivity of the HAN ternary mixture, while maximum electrolytic decomposition temperature (Tmax) of HAN ternary mixture obtained was dependent on fuel added. Visualization of HAN decomposition was demonstrated using transparent PDMS microreactors. A novel DPST integration in triggering the power supply and high speed camera was proposed. Such integration greatly reduced the cost of using a DAQ system, and was shown to capture the decomposition successfully at 5000 fps. Parametric optimization was also carried out in PDMS microreactors. Usage of 3 pairs of electrodes has increased overall reaction rate as high as 225 %, as compared to 1 pair counterpart. The overall reaction rate is proportional to flowrate and applied voltage. 3 pairs of electrodes can initiate decomposition in low voltage region. Applied voltage is the most significant parameter affecting the overall reaction rate. HAN-dextrose has lower decomposition performance compared to binary HAN solution in PDMS microreactor, using the optimized parameters carried out on binary HAN solution. This work has demonstrated both effect of fuel addition in binary HAN solution and parametric optimization in binary HAN solution towards their decomposition phenomena at macroscale and microscale,respectively. Several recommendations were made in future work section, including using screen-printing technology on the microreactor and adding a catalytic reactor after HAN was electrolyzed, to further improve decomposition efficiency

Characterization & analysis on electrolytic decomposition of hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) ternary mixtures in microreactors

Rapid development of micropropulsion systems arose from growing interest on micro- and nanosatellites. Utilization of liquid energetic materials such as hydrazine and hydrogen peroxide as propellant in propulsion yielded promising results. However, safety issue remains a great concern as hydrazine is highly toxic. This drives the development of propellants towards lower toxicity and more environmental friendly, namely green propellants. Hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) was selected among three green propellants due to its high energy density in addition to ease in storage and handling properties. In order to understand the effect of addition of fuel into HAN binary solution, electrolytic decomposition of zero oxygen balance HAN ternary mixture in thermal isolated beaker was performed at macroscale. Addition of a fuel to binary HAN solution generally has more stages of decomposition, as opposed to single stage in binary HAN solution. Rate of temperature increase in the first stage of decomposition (Ṫ1) was found to be directly proportional to electrical resistivity of the HAN ternary mixture, while maximum electrolytic decomposition temperature (Tmax) of HAN ternary mixture obtained was dependent on fuel added. Visualization of HAN decomposition was demonstrated using transparent PDMS microreactors. A novel DPST integration in triggering the power supply and high speed camera was proposed. Such integration greatly reduced the cost of using a DAQ system, and was shown to capture the decomposition successfully at 5000 fps. Parametric optimization was also carried out in PDMS microreactors. Usage of 3 pairs of electrodes has increased overall reaction rate as high as 225 %, as compared to 1 pair counterpart. The overall reaction rate is proportional to flowrate and applied voltage. 3 pairs of electrodes can initiate decomposition in low voltage region. Applied voltage is the most significant parameter affecting the overall reaction rate. HAN-dextrose has lower decomposition performance compared to binary HAN solution in PDMS microreactor, using the optimized parameters carried out on binary HAN solution. This work has demonstrated both effect of fuel addition in binary HAN solution and parametric optimization in binary HAN solution towards their decomposition phenomena at macroscale and microscale,respectively. Several recommendations were made in future work section, including using screen-printing technology on the microreactor and adding a catalytic reactor after HAN was electrolyzed, to further improve decomposition efficiency

Development of the Multiple Use Plug Hybrid for Nanosats (Muphyn) Miniature Thruster

The Multiple Use Plug Hybrid for Nanosats (MUPHyN) prototype thruster incorporates solutions to several major challenges that have traditionally limited the deployment of chemical propulsion systems on small spacecraft. The MUPHyN thruster offers several features that are uniquely suited for small satellite applications. These features include 1) a non-explosive ignition system, 2) non-mechanical thrust vectoring using secondary fluid injection on an aerospike nozzle cooled with the oxidizer flow, 3) a non-toxic, chemically-stable combination of liquid and inert solid propellants, 4) a compact form factor enabled by the direct digital manufacture of the inert solid fuel grain. Hybrid rocket motors provide significant safety and reliability advantages over both solid composite and liquid propulsion systems; however, hybrid motors have found only limited use on operational vehicles due to 1) difficulty in modeling the fuel flow rate 2) poor volumetric efficiency and/or form factor 3) significantly lower fuel flow rates than solid rocket motors 4) difficulty in obtaining high combustion efficiencies. The features of the MUPHyN thruster are designed to offset and/or overcome these shortcomings. The MUPHyN motor design represents a convergence of technologies, including hybrid rocket regression rate modeling, aerospike secondary injection thrust vectoring, multiphase injector modeling, non-pyrotechnic ignition, and nitrous oxide regenerative cooling that address the traditional challenges that limit the use of hybrid rocket motors and aerospike nozzles. This synthesis of technologies is unique to the MUPHyN thruster design and no comparable work has been published in the open literature

Bibliography of Lewis Research Center technical publications announced in 1987

This compilation of abstracts describes and indexes the technical reporting that resulted from the scientific and engineering work performed and managed by the Lewis Research Center in 1987. All the publications were announced in the 1987 issues of STAR (Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports) and/or IAA (International Aerospace Abstracts). Included are research reports, journal articles, conference presentations, patents and patent applications, and theses

Marshall Space Flight Center Faculty Fellowship Program

The 2017 Marshall Faculty Fellowship Program involved 21 faculty in the laboratories and departments at Marshall Space Flight Center. These faculty engineers and scientists worked with NASA collaborators on NASA projects, bringing new perspectives and solutions to bear. This Technical Memorandum is a compilation of the research reports of the 2017 Marshall Faculty Fellowship program, along with the Program Announcement (Appendix A) and the Program Description (Appendix B). The research affected the following six areas: (1) Materials (2) Propulsion (3) Instrumentation (4) Spacecraft systems (5) Vehicle systems (6) Space science The materials investigations included composite structures, printing electronic circuits, degradation of materials by energetic particles, friction stir welding, Martian and Lunar regolith for in-situ construction, and polymers for additive manufacturing. Propulsion studies were completed on electric sails and low-power arcjets for use with green propellants. Instrumentation research involved heat pipes, neutrino detectors, and remote sensing. Spacecraft systems research was conducted on wireless technologies, layered pressure vessels, and two-phase flow. Vehicle systems studies were performed on life support-biofilm buildup and landing systems. In the space science area, the excitation of electromagnetic ion-cyclotron waves observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission provided insight regarding the propagation of these waves. Our goal is to continue the Marshall Faculty Fellowship Program funded by Center internal project offices. Faculty Fellows in this 2017 program represented the following minority-serving institutions: Alabama A&M University and Oglala Lakota College

Workshop on the Habitability of Icy Worlds : February 5-7, 2014 Pasadena, California

The primary objective of this workshop will be to focus on the astrobiological potential of icy worlds in the outer solar system including Europa, Ganymede, Enceladus, Titan, and beyond with discussion on future research directions and spacecraft missions that can best assess that potential.Universities Space Research Association, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.conveners, David Senske, Patricia Beauchamp ; scientific organizing committee, David Senske ... [and others] ; [compiled by Meeting and Publication Services, Lunar and Planetary Institute]PARTIAL CONTENTS: Habitability of Enceladus: Planetary Conditions for Life / C. Parkinson--Analysis of Ridge Terrains on Enceladus and Europa / D.A. Patthoff, R.T. Pappalardo, C. Chilton, and P.C. Thomas--Stereo Topography and Subsurface Thermal Profiles on Icy Satellites / C.B. Phillips--Enceladus: Small Moon, Big Possibilities / C. Porco--The Role of Clathrate Hydrates in the (Bio)Geochemical Cycles of Essential Elements of Life in the Deep Environments Within the Icy Moons / O. Prieto-Ballesteros and V. Muñoz-Iglesias--Diapiric Dynamics: Bringing Aqueous Solutions to Europa's Surface / L.C. Quick

DRONE DELIVERY OF CBNRECy – DEW WEAPONS Emerging Threats of Mini-Weapons of Mass Destruction and Disruption (WMDD)

Drone Delivery of CBNRECy – DEW Weapons: Emerging Threats of Mini-Weapons of Mass Destruction and Disruption (WMDD) is our sixth textbook in a series covering the world of UASs and UUVs. Our textbook takes on a whole new purview for UAS / CUAS/ UUV (drones) – how they can be used to deploy Weapons of Mass Destruction and Deception against CBRNE and civilian targets of opportunity. We are concerned with the future use of these inexpensive devices and their availability to maleficent actors. Our work suggests that UASs in air and underwater UUVs will be the future of military and civilian terrorist operations. UAS / UUVs can deliver a huge punch for a low investment and minimize human casualties.https://newprairiepress.org/ebooks/1046/thumbnail.jp

2nd International Planetary Probe Workshop

Included are presentations from the 2nd International Planetary Probe Workshop. The purpose of the second workshop was to continue to unite the community of planetary scientists, spacecraft engineers and mission designers and planners; whose expertise, experience and interests are in the areas of entry probe trajectory and attitude determination, and the aerodynamics/aerothermodynamics of planetary entry vehicles. Mars lander missions and the first probe mission to Titan made 2004 an exciting year for planetary exploration. The Workshop addressed entry probe science, engineering challenges, mission design and instruments, along with the challenges of reconstruction of the entry, descent and landing or the aerocapture phases. Topics addressed included methods, technologies, and algorithms currently employed; techniques and results from the rich history of entry probe science such as PAET, Venera/Vega, Pioneer Venus, Viking, Galileo, Mars Pathfinder and Mars MER; upcoming missions such as the imminent entry of Huygens and future Mars entry probes; and new and novel instrumentation and methodologies

Beamed-Energy Propulsion (BEP) Study

The scope of this study was to (1) review and analyze the state-of-art in beamed-energy propulsion (BEP) by identifying potential game-changing applications, (2) formulate a roadmap of technology development, and (3) identify key near-term technology demonstrations to rapidly advance elements of BEP technology to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. The two major areas of interest were launching payloads and space propulsion. More generally, the study was requested and structured to address basic mission feasibility. The attraction of beamed-energy propulsion (BEP) is the potential for high specific impulse while removing the power-generation mass. The rapid advancements in high-energy beamed-power systems and optics over the past 20 years warranted a fresh look at the technology. For launching payloads, the study concluded that using BEP to propel vehicles into space is technically feasible if a commitment to develop new technologies and large investments can be made over long periods of time. From a commercial competitive standpoint, if an advantage of beamed energy for Earth-to-orbit (ETO) is to be found, it will rest with smaller, frequently launched payloads. For space propulsion, the study concluded that using beamed energy to propel vehicles from low Earth orbit to geosynchronous Earth orbit (LEO-GEO) and into deep space is definitely feasible and showed distinct advantages and greater potential over current propulsion technologies. However, this conclusion also assumes that upfront infrastructure investments and commitments to critical technologies will be made over long periods of time. The chief issue, similar to that for payloads, is high infrastructure costs

Resources Roundtable II

Topics include the new NASA HEDS Technology and Commercialization Initiative; space mining and economic resource extraction from asteroids and the Moon; commercial development of space resources, including the concept of space tourism and space manufacturing, but also including some historical perspectives on space resources development; and property rights in resource development.Sponsored by Colorado School of Mines, Lunar and Planetary Institute, National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSteering committee, Joe Burris ... [and others] ; [compiled by Lunar and Planetary Institute].A New Strategy for Exploration Technology Development: The Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) Exploration/Commercialization Technology Initiative / Mankins J.C.--Space Resources Development - The Link Between Human Exploration And The Long-Term Commercialization Of Space / Sanders G.B.--The Fabrication of Silicon Solar Cells on the Moon Using In-Situ Resources / Ignatiev A.--Recommendations by the "LSP and Manufacturing" Group to the NSF-NASA Workshop on "Autonomous Construction and Manufacturing for Space Electrical Power Systems" / Criswell D.R., Ignatiev A.--An End-to-End Near-Earth Asteroid Resource Exploitation Plan / Reed K.L.--Core Drilling for Extra-Terrestrial Mining / Boucher D.S., Dupuis E.--Mine Planning for Asteroid Orebodies / Gertsch L.S., Gertsch R.E.--Results of a Conceptual Systems Analysis of Systems for 200-m-deep Sampling of the Martian Subsurface / Blacic J., Dreesen D., Mockler T.--Drilling and Logging in Space: an Oil-well Perspective / Peeters M., Kovats J.A.--Preliminary Analysis of a Small Robot for Martian Regolith Excavation / Muff T., King R.H., Duke M.B.--The Near-Earth Space Surveillance (NESS) Mission: Discovery, Tracking, and Characterization of Asteroids, Comets, and Artificial Satellites with a Microsatellite / Hildebrand A.R. ... [and others]--Considerations on Use of Lunar Regolith in Lunar Constructions / Toklu Y.C.--Lunar Mineral Resources, Extraction and Application / Rowland S.--Developing Technologies for Space Resource Utilization, Concept for a Planetary Engineering Research Institute / Blacic J., Dreesen D., Mockler T.--Space Resources for Space Tourism / Maryniak G.E.--An Engineering and Cost Model for Human Space Settlement Architectures: Focus on Space Hotels and Moon/Mars Exploration / Reynerson C.M.--Our Lunar Destiny: Creating a Lunar Economy / Rohwer, C.J.--A Costing Strategy for Manufacturing in Orbit Using Extraterrestrial Resources / Ganesh B. ... [and others]--The Role of Near-Earth Asteroids in Long-Term Platinum