Advanced Propulsion and Power for the Advanced Technology Warfighter

Hydrogen storage and feed for solar thermal propulsion missions poses uniqiue problems for propellant management. The STP orbit transfer vehicle has requirements of multiple-burn operation adding to the complexity of the design. A significant improvement in the simulation of a STP system can be achieved by the addition of a propellant storage and delivery system for use in propulsion tests at the Solar Laboratory . Research in Phase I will allow design and test planning for propellant storage and delivery concepts for validation in the SOTV program. Research includes development of a propellant system design matched to the requirements of a solar absorber. Feasibility testing is planned to occur in Phase I with representative components. An assessment of a propellant refrigeration cycle with no moving parts is also proposed. This system, if feasible, could provide long term storage of propellant for a variety of extended missions.Proposed components in the technology will strengthen the capabilities for development and flight of an upperstage in the near future. Phase II plans include integration of this technology with testing of cryogenic systems at the Phillips Lab.