SBIR/STTR Research Award

Modular Adaptable RocketEngine for Vehicle Launch(MAREVL)

Award identifier 112071c8d896aeda4c475de22c7c7858d84d6e70b582da6113fe367ac4caee2fAwarding agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Award amount

$124,999

Program and phase

SBIR · Phase I

Award year

2019

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Award details

Awarding agency
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch
Not reported
Recipient company
BLUSHIFT AEROSPACE INC
Proposal award date
2019-08-19
Contract end date
2020-02-18
UEI
KMH8W6638D73
Solicitation number
SBIR_19_P1
Topic code
Z9

Research abstract

bluShift Aerospace is developing fully modular hybrid rocket motors, referred to as MAREVLs (Modular Adaptable Rocket Engine for Vehicle Launch). Having a modular hybrid rocket motor will allow bluShift and other organizations to rapidly develop various launch vehicles for a micro satellite (CubeSat) launch fleet. There are two innovative fundamental ideas behind bluShiftrsquo;s MAREVL: Modularity and Hybrid Rocket Motor Technology. By only perfecting and using a single simple modular motor bluShift will lower development costs (only one motor is designed for a whole class of vehicles), lower manufacturing costs (only one set of parts that are made in a higher quantity), increase adaptability by making developing new vehicles easier, increase launch cadence by building an inventory of building blocks.Hybrid rocket motors have several advantages that made bluShift choose them for the MAREVL. Simpler: Compared to liquid engines hybrids only have one liquid system to handle (the oxidizer) therefore there is half as much weight and complexity from plumbing and valving. Safer: Hybrid rocket motors are safer than most liquid and solid propellant motors. The fuel is inert and will not pose hazardous risks during storage or handling; the nitrous oxide bluShift is using is safer than liquid oxygen. Throttle Capability: Unlike solid propellant motors, hybrids can be throttled to optimize performance, and can throttle individually in a cluster to eliminate the need for an entire gimbaling system.Over the last 5 years bluShift has been developing a very specific hybrid rocket motor that has some particular advantages. Carbon Neutral: The proprietary hybrid fuel bluShift has been testing is 100% bio-derived, it is carbon neutral and will not contribute to a net gain in greenhouse gases. Higher Fuel Regression Rates: The wax-based fuel bluShift uses has a high enough regression rate that fuel grains can be left with a simple single fuel port, increasing simplicity and lowering waste.

Technology keywords

Not reported

Other awards by this recipient

Verified by the same UEI. These are other public SBIR/STTR award pages, not a merged company record.

Research funding history

3 SBIR/STTR records share this UEI (2019–2024). Reported award amounts total $2,389,008. Reported amounts are not federal obligations.

Phases: Phase II, Phase I, Phase II – Direct to Phase II

Agencies: Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Agency intelligence

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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