Modular Rocket Engine Electric Pumps

FTT proposes development of electrically driven liquid oxygen and liquid methane pumps for use in a highly configurable modular rocket engine to dramatically reduce the cost of developing and producing Nano/Micro launch propulsion stages. The modular engine will use an array of digitally controlled electric pump fed thruster modules which produce about 2,400 lbf-thrust each. Power to the modules will come from a centrally located gas-generator powered turbogenerator or a high performance battery pack. The variable speed motors used to drive the pumps could allow for elimination of propellant mixture ratio control valves, gimbals, and bellows. The 2,400 lbf-thrust modules can be configured to deliver almost any thrust combination desired by the propulsion stage prime, foregoing the need to design and develop an expensive purpose built engine. FTT’s primary goal will be to substantially reduce the cost of the pump which has a direct linkage to the overall propulsion system cost.