Warm Gas Pressurization System (WGPS) Technologies

Improving performance, safety, and cost of Divert and Attitude Control Systems (DACS) is important to future, cost-effective deployed missile defense systems. Bi-propellant liquid propellant DACS achieve the highest specific impulse compared to solid systems, but in limited volume systems, packaging efficiency can limit available total impulse. High-pressure storage bottles used for tank pressurization also limit the minimum storage factors of safety. Results of the Phase I research analysis showed that by replacing a helium pressurization system with a simple pump-fed system, total impulse was increased by over 40%. Critical components proposed for demonstration are the pump and hydrazine-blend fueled bipropellant thruster.