Low Cost Flexible Method of Manufacturing Channel Wall Combustors

This Phase II program will result in a drastically reduced cost, reduced lead time and increased capability channel wall rocket combustor manufacturing technology. This is an enabling technology for improved engine designs due to new design options that are now feasible for the advancement of liquid rocket engine technology in general. A custom manufacturing workcell capable of fabricating full-scale SSME combustors and cooled nozzle segments will be designed and built during Phase II. This will be key to Phase II technology development advancements as well as to the support of ongoing liquid rocket programs. Phase I demonstrated the technical and economic feasibility of implementing the technology to provide tremendous cost and lead-time reductions from the current tubular wall construction designs, as well as from channel wall designs manufactured by conventional methods. This dual use technology will be immediately available to support development and production phases of several liquid rocket programs and will be commercialized in defense and commercial markets to support many applications involving difficult to machine high temperature materials. Commercialization success is a high probability due to current support from engine manufacturers