Advanced Hybrid Rocket Motor

ORBITEC proposes to develop MAELSTROM, an advanced hybrid rocket motor, to meet the demands of highly flexible boost propulsion for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense applications. Key MAELSTROM features include: versatile energy management, high propulsive performance, inherent safety of a hybrid, non-toxic and insensitive propellants, and a long-term storable system. MAELSTROM combines four ORBITEC innovations: (1) an aluminized patented vortex-injected hybrid motor, (2) a dual-mode oxidizer injection system, (3) a patented MIRRAS surface regression sensor, and (4) an intelligent closed-loop oxidizer control system. The vortex injector generates a coaxial, bi-directional flow field that drives extremely high solid-fuel regression rates, allowing for short, compact fuel grain design. The high surface heat fluxes and serpentine flow path enables efficient combustion of high-energy metals. A second, conventional oxidizer injector located at the head-end of the grain provides both mixture ratio control and deep throttling capability. MIRRAS regression rate sensors provide feedback to the closed-loop oxidizer controller to achieve precise mission management. The proposed Phase I activities include modeling, design, a comprehensive hot fire test program, and detailed data reduction, with a focus on demonstrating a high-performance and versatile propulsion technology. Phase II will validate a full-scale prototype MAELSTROM motor for delivery to MDA.