Performance Assessment of an H2O2/H2 Bipropellant Thruster for Innovative Water-based Space Propulsion

In pursuit of innovative, water-based space propulsion, a 200 N bipropellant thruster based on highconcentration hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydrogen (H2) is under development as part of the European project Green SWaP (Green Solar-to-propellant Water Propulsion). In this work, theoretical rocket performance analysis predicts improvements in specific impulse over hydrazine-based bipropellants and other typical green propellant combinations, as well as improvements in density-specific impulse and lower stoichiometric combustion temperatures compared to conventional water electrolysis propulsion. The potential autoignition between H2O2 decomposition products and gaseous H2 is investigated via 0D kinetics simulations, comparing ignition delays with residence times. Additionally, this work reports the developments of simplified transient models for radiative, heat-sink and regenerative cooling, and outlines a preliminary architecture of the first modular engine prototype.