WASHINGTON (NASA PR) — NASA’s Space Technology Program is calling for proposals to develop miniaturized electrospray propulsion technologies that could revolutionize small satellite propulsion systems.
Electrospray thrusters use electricity to energize material and then disperse a resulting liquid or aerosol through an emitter to create thrust. The development of low-mass, lightweight micro thruster technologies has the potential to radically change propulsion capabilities of small satellites by allowing variable thrust propulsion, stabilization and precision pinpointing. Such micro thrusters also might be of use for very fine pointing aboard future large space-based observatories.
SpaceShipTwo in flight on Dec. 19, 2012. (Credit: Virgin Galactic)
Virgin Galactic is hiring like crazy at its Mojave Air and Space Port facility. The company has not only bought out Scaled Composites’ interest in the Spaceship Company but also begun an ambitious effort to develop new rocket engines.
Last month, the company posted a opening for a propulsion design engineer that was very revealing about Virgin’s development process.
Main Purpose of the Role
The primary role of this position involves taking a leadership role in the “clean sheet” development of new liquid-fueled rocket engines. Responsibilities will include conceptual through critical design of engine components, production, developmental and flight qualification testing, and flight test support.
The full job posting, which closed on Dec. 28, is reproduced below.
John Bounds of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Advanced Nuclear Technology Division makes final adjustments on the DUFF experiment, a demonstration of a simple, robust fission reactor prototype that could be used as a power system for space travel. DUFF is the first demonstration of a space nuclear reactor system to produce electricity in the United States since 1965.
LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Nov. 26, 2012—A team of researchers, including engineers from Los Alamos National Laboratory, has demonstrated a new concept for a reliable nuclear reactor that could be used on space flights.
On Thursday, NASA announced the selection of 39 proposals for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II awards. Parabolic Arc will be looking at several of the proposals being undertaken by companies we have been following. This post looks at Firestar Engineering, a company based in Mojave, Calif., that is developing non-toxic propellant that will be tested at the International Space Station next year.
Firestar Engineering, LLC
Mojave, CA
PROPOSAL TITLE: Low Energy Electronic Ignition System for NOFBX Thrusters SUBTOPIC TITLE: Propulsion Technologies
Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) at beginning and end of contract:
Begin: 3
End: 5
Russia’s KBKhA Design Bureau reports the successful tests last month of a new 7.5 ton thrust rocket engine powered by liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas.
“The tests were a significant step in the cooperation of two companies within the research work carried out by the order the Italian Space Agency (ASI),” KBKhA said in a press release.
KBKhA and Avio have been working together on the project since 2007.
KBKhA has designed rocket engines for the Soyuz, Proton and Energia launch vehicles. Avio produces Ariane 5′s two large lateral solid-propellant engines as well as the P80, Zefiro 23 and Zefiro 9 solid motors for Europe’s new Vega launcher.
The U.S. Air Force’s reusable booster program has been canceled due to a lack of funding:
Due to “unexpected funding reductions,” the U.S. Air Force is discontinuing work on a prototype reusable rocket design effort that the U.S. National Research Council recently cited as a key steppingstone to an operational system.
BUTTE, Mont. — Space Propulsion Group, Inc. (SPG) today successfully completed a major technology development test of its 22-inch-diameter, Liquid Oxygen/paraffin-based advanced hybrid rocket motor. This cutting-edge hybrid propulsion technology has practical applications for numerous space-related industries, including transportation, defense, suborbital research and tourism.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dnyetics PR) – Dynetics and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) announced here today at the National Space Symposium a long-term partnership to compete for the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Advanced Booster Engineering Demonstration and/or Risk Reduction (ABEDRR) procurement. Under this agreement, Dynetics and PWR are exclusive partners with respect to use of the proven Saturn V F-1 rocket engine technology.
“The SLS booster procurement requires a team that can balance affordability, innovation and experience throughout the life cycle – from development to production and operations,” said Steve Cook, Dynetics director of space technologies. “Dynetics and PWR have formed such a team, offering a wide-ranging set of risk‑reduction activities and demonstrations that enable a superior booster solution.”
RIA Novosti reports on Russia’s plans for advanced space nuclear propulsion, an effort that now apparently involves the Skolkovo Foundation:
A Russian Megawatt-class nuclear propulsion system for long-range manned spacecraft must be ready by 2017, Skolkovo Foundation’s Nuclear Cluster head Denis Kovalevich said on Wednesday.
“At present we are testing several types of fuel and later we will start drafting the design,” Kovalevich said. “The first parts [of the nuclear engine] should be built in 2013, and the engine is expected to be ready by 2017.”
The engine is being developed for interplanetary manned spacecraft to ensure that Russia maintains a competitive edge in the space race, including the exploration of the Moon and Mars.
ENERGOMASH PR: On March 7, 2012, it was decided to allocate IC “Skolkovo” the first grant for the development of new highly combustible “Acetyl”. This project is implemented within the framework of the Energomash Centre of Innovation.
The “acetyl” is aimed at significantly improving the energy characteristics of Russian and foreign launch vehicles. Thermophysical properties and performance allow a number of advantages compared to the hydrogen-oxygen boosters that were considered until recently to limit energy capabilities of rocket engines to chemical energy:
Loading ...