Solid-State Electrically Controllable Rocket Motors For Safe Attitude Control Systems

The invention of Electrically Controlled Extinguishable Solid Propellants (ECESP) over the last five years opens the door for completely new ways of controlling solid rocket motors. When the propellant is fitted with electrodes and a current of the required voltage is applied, the propellant ignites and continues to burn until the voltage is removed. Throttle control and multiple restarts have been demonstrated with complete extinguishment with end burning grains. Recently we have demonstrated small "no moving parts" solid propellant core and ending motors. Many of the problems associated with solid propulsion may be overcome as ECESP technology continues to emerge and develop. Not only are ECESPs controllable they would be extremely safe for shipboard use. We propose a proof of concept scale up of our solid-state microthrusters to demonstrate a re-starting, 20x throttling motor with ~10 pounds-force of thrust. Heat feed back data from grains and elevated pressure (to 500 psi) electrical strand tests with determine whether scale up beyond ACS thrusters to high burn rate, booster propulsion is feasible.