Low Cost Hybrid Rocket Orbital Transfer Stage

Parabilis Space Technologies is proposing Phase II development of a high-performance hybrid rocket stage suitable for both small spacecraft maneuvering and for trans-lunar orbit injection in response to solicitation Z8.09, Small Spacecraft Transfer Stage Development. This effort will leverage both the successful Phase I and a previous successful NASA-funded Ramp;D at Parabilis for a ldquo;NanoLaunchrdquo; hybrid upper stage and the design of an appropriately scaled-up hybrid motor. The proposed stage is economical, non-toxic, non-cryogenic, restartable, and compatible with multiple ldquo;venture-classrdquo; launch vehicles.nbsp; The stage will be offered in two sizes, one of which will be capable of delivering 25 kg payloads into translunar trajectories when launched abord a Rocket Lab Electron vehicle. A larger ldquo;Granderdquo; stage will be capable of injecting 60 kg payloads into translunar trajectories. nbsp; During Phase I, Parabilis designed, manufactured, and hot fire tested a near full-flow rate prototype motor at sub-duration and sub-motor external dimensions. This significantly reduced both technical risk and the effort required for flight-like prototypes which will be tested in the proposed Phase II effort. The Phase I motor test showed smooth catalytic ignition, stable combustion, and good combustion efficiency. nbsp; During Phase II, the flight vehicle systems engineering will be updated, and an updated full-scale motor prototype will be manufactured and then hot fire tested at Parabilisrsquo; rocket test facility. Multiple test/design cycles will be performed with the goal of maximizing performance and characterizing the motor over the equivalent of the full duration operating range and obtaining regression characteristics such that fuel residuals can be minimized in future designs. In parallel, a flight weight pump and feed system will be designed that meets the requirements of the stage architecture.nbsp; This development path addresses the most critical items for implementing the innovation.