High Performance Micro Rocket Stages for Tactical & Space Applications

The development of small-scale space vehicles is largely limited by the inability to realize high propellant mass fractions and high ISP micro-propulsion systems. Ventions therefore proposes the development of regeneratively-cooled liquid bipropellant rocket-motors in a pump-fed configuration for a variety of point-to-point and ballistic air-vehicle applications. The proposed components are based on a low-cost fabrication technique that has already been successfully used by Ventions in other DARPA-sponsored efforts to demonstrate high T/W micro-rocket injectors and thrusters, and is expected to allow for propellant mass fractions in the 92-94% range for a structurally-efficient air-vehicle with on-board pump pressurization and light-weight tanks (which are also the focus of the stated Phase I effort).