Refractory Additively Manufactured Affordable Launch Vehicle RCS

Due to the rapid maturity of small satellite technologies to meet near term commercial, science and military space applications there is a driving need for development of increased affordable space launch system capability. To address this need, Valley Tech Systems and the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) is proposing evolving our innovative Affordable Launch Vehicle Reaction Control System (ALV-RCS) through applying advanced refractory additive manufacturing (RAM) production technologies to titanium-zirconium-molybdenum (TZM) alloy with a goal of reducing the ALV RCS cost by 25% and weight by 20% which will support the progressive development of affordable small spacecraft launch systems. This new refractory additive manufacturing technology will replace older, heavier and less preforming Cold Gas ACS products providing NASA and future launch system providers with increased capability with improved affordability. Our solid RCS is applicable to both a future commercial booster flyout Attitude Control System (ACS) applications and future Post Boost Propulsion System (PBPS) payload deltav and ACS providing increased satellite orbital insertion accuracies. The Phase II program will mature the new solid RCS technology to a TRL-6 ready for insertion into follow-on commercial launch system integration and flight testing. The result is a new affordable and higher performing solid RCS that fills an identified critical technical gap for future affordable access to space.