Infrastructure

Propellant Feed Systems

Physical Infrastructure

Propellant Feed System

The MON-X feed system supports MON-3/MON-25/NTO volumes up to 500 mL, pressurized up to 2500 by a piston system. The Monopropellant feed system is also piston fed, with propellant volumes up to 82 mL at 1500 psi. The H₂O₂ feed system is nitrogen pressurized and contains up to 1 L propellant volume at 1800 psi. The gaseous oxygen (GOX) feed system can support pressures up to 2400 psi. The Bipropellant feed system can hold 17 L propellant at 6000 psi. Any jet on jet fuel and oxidizer combination (down to -20° C) can maintain pulsed or continuous operations via piston system.

Bulk H2 Storage System

620 L (22 cubic feet) of 410 bar (6000 psi) hydrogen storage
Dual-stage pneumatic compressor
Sized for propulsion and automotive application

Thrust Stands

50mN to 50N test stand (horizontal only)

Rendering of the 500lbf (horizontal or vertical) test stand, as shown in the horizontal configuration

MMH/Toxic Propellant Handling

MMH/toxic fuel dry box is purged with N₂ at all times and is located in a fume hood as an additional safety measure

Illustration of the laboratory and control room

Low Pressure Testing Environment

100 N class to ~100,000 ft initial exhaust pressure (Pump & roots blower)
100 lbf class to ~100,000 ft steady exhaust pressure (air driven ejector)
10,000 ft3 vacuum buffer available “on-site”
1500 psia rated piston feed systems with temperature conditioning (» -20°C to +40°C)
Biprops and monoprops (incl. AF-M315E, Hydrazine, MMH/NTO, H2O2/RP-1, LOX/Methane, etc.)
10.5 ft long, 6 ft in diameter

Vacuum Chamber, used to simulate near vacuum test conditions for thrusters