Metallized Cryogen for Advanced Hybrid Engines

Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC)

Madison, WI
 

Storage and use of solid, cryogenic methane in an aluminum matrix as cryogenic rocket propellant with increased density, reduced vehicle weight and improved safety

• The feasibility of freezing a cryogen inside a metal matrix was demonstrated
• Storing solid methane in a configuration suitable for use in a hybrid engine was demonstrated
• A model for the freezing process was developed
• 25 successful hot test firings with gaseous oxygen, established baseline data on regression rates and other combustion data
• A patent was granted for this technology (#6101808)

• The technology of freezing cryogenic fluids and the freezing process model are useful commercially for storage and transport of cryogens
• Various aerospace companies have signed non-disclosure agreements with ORBITEC for use of this technology
• This technology has potential for in-space, In-Situ Resource utilization (ISRU), and launch propulsion systems

• Received follow-on funding of $930K from the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA Marshall for testing solid oxygen/liquid hydrogen
• Received a NASA Research Announcement contract from NASA Glenn for $490K to test solid carbon monoxide/liquid oxygen
• Received from NASA Goddard/Universities Space Research Assn. a Phase I & II NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts contract for $75K and $465K respectively, to compare solid methane/liquid oxygen, solid carbon monoxide/liquid oxygen, and other propellants

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