Non-Catalytic Ignition System for High Performance Advanced Monopropellant Thrusters

Systima Technologies, Inc. is developing a non-catalytic ignition technology for advanced green ionic salt monopropellants such as HAN-based monopropellant AF-M315E. Green (non-hazardous, low toxicity) monopropellants such as AF-M315E offer significant advantages in performance and reduced handling infrastructure for vehicles and payloads compared to traditional hydrazine systems. Systima's innovative ignition technology does not require a catalyst bed, thus avoiding the need to pre-heat the thruster chamber, is light weight, and operates with very low power. This approach is well suited for applications that require a lower system weight, less power consumption and increased thruster lifetime, and is also well suited for auxiliary power units (APU's). The Phase I program will establish parameters for non-catalytic ignition of AF-M315E. In Phase II we will conduct extended life hot-fire testing, evaluate system performance, and identify paths to flight demonstration in collaboration with Aerojet Rocketdyne.