Advanced Solid Oxidizer (ASO)

ABSTRACT: ORBITEC proposes to develop and synthesize a safe, high performance, high density solid oxidizer to replace Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) in solid propellants for use in booster, tactical, and strategic systems. The long sought replacement for ammonium perchlorate remains an unanswered challenge as the development of an insensitive but high energy solid oxidizer has proven very difficult. In response, ORBITEC proposes a simple molecular structure as a practical synthesis target whose constitution offers highly desirable excess oxygen per unit weight. Based on its molecular structure, we estimate that the target compound has a melting temperature that significantly exceeds the solicitation requirements. In Phase I, we will conduct chemical equilibrium calculations to compare the performance of propellants containing the new oxidizer to a state-of-the-art solid propellant (e.g., the Castor 120 propellant), synthesize the new oxidizer, and conduct a battery of tests to characterize its physicochemical and thermal behavior. In Phase II, oxidizer synthesis will be scaled to kilogram-sized quantities for additional, more thorough characterization. BENEFIT: The non-toxic, non-explosive oxidizer we propose to develop has a high amount of excess oxygen, a high melting temperature, and a high density. In addition, it should have a safe, economic synthesis route. The ability to produce this ASO economically in larger scale will have many military implications and applications. The Department of Defense (DOD) will be able to develop new, energetic solid propellants for boost, strategic, and tactical systems. Because solid propellants are so widespread, once this technology is proven, NASA will also benefit, and the market could also expand to the private space sector. Additional customers could include developers of air bags, pyrotechnics, fireworks, the hobby rocket industry, and commercial mining.