Novel Upper Stage Engine Cycle

ABSTRACT: Exquadrum, Inc. proposes to develop an innovative and advanced, low-cost, high-performance, cryogenic upper stage engine cycle. The SLATE engine is a variant of the dual-bleed expander cycle that maintains state of the art performance while enabling significantly reduced weight and cost, increased reliability, improved operability, and scalability. The engine cycle enables lower pump discharge and system pressures for high-reliability and reduced weight. Additionally, the engine uses a thrust chamber and nozzle arrangement that overcomes the historical limitations of expander cycle engines inability to scale to high thrust. The proposed engine concept is significantly smaller and lighter than historical engines. The low-cost thrust chamber provides improved stability over any existing conventional thrust chamber of comparable engine size. In Phase I, Exquadrum will conduct trade studies to optimize the engine cycle, generate a vision engine conceptual design, and develop and demonstrate the low-cost thrust chamber at full scale. In Phase II, Exquadrum will conduct engine testing to demonstrate the advantages of the engine cycle and quantify engine performance. BENEFIT: Anticipated benefits include increasing the thrust-to-weight, reliability, and operability of upper stage engines while significantly reducing cost. Additionally, this engine cycle enables a scalability not possible with current engines enabling it to fulfill a wide range of applications. Potential commercial applications include the growing commercial launch industry, and their need for low-cost, high-performance upper stage engines.