SPACE PROPULSION MODELING AND SIMULATION

There is a requirement for improving specific impulse and mass fraction in propulsion systems, while providing precision and predictability in thrust to enhance accuracy. These systems must be dependable and cost-effective at a high level of operational readiness. This contributes significantly to performance of systems such as Land Based Strategic Deterrent, Prompt Global Strike and Responsive Launch to Space and Responsive Satellites. Advatech Pacific (API) proposes to provide modeling and simulation of critical system elements (utilizing legitimate mathematical, aeronautical, astronautical, operational, and chemical principles, ultimately to encompass life cycle cost) in electric, chemical, and high-energy density propulsion, which will be used with laboratory research to advance the state of the art. API, working with AFRL, will create an architecture of software systems and integrate these to provide comprehensive simulation and modeling tools. Electric propulsion models (Coliseum, HPHall, Colloid) have state of the art physics, but have a basic architecture, which provides limited functionality. API is suited to the task of re-architecting and parallelizing these models. API will also support chemical propulsion technology including CFD modeling of several key experimental systems. Finally, API will develop plasma physics and high-energy propulsion tool concepts in support of a joint PRSA/PRSS effort at AFRL.