A summary of the activities carried out in the last four years by Alta S.p.A. on hydrogen peroxide for propulsive applications is given. In the framework of European Space Agency and Italian Government funded projects, a significant know-how on this matter has been gained by Alta in collaboration with the Universities of Messina and Pisa. Tests have been carried out in the GPRT facility, an easily reconfigurable and expandable experimental apparatus for the characterization of the propulsive performance of small monopropellant thrusters. After an intensive phase of development and characterization, several advanced catalytic beds capable of effectively decomposing hydrogen peroxide have been obtained. In order to characterize the catalysts under real working conditions two reconfigurable monopropellant thruster prototypes were simultaneously designed and successfully tested at Alta. Endurance tests on the LR-III-106 and CZ-11-600 catalysts allowed for accumulating respect...
Green Propellants Research at Alta S.p.A
PASINI, ANGELO;D'AGOSTINO, LUCA
2010-01-01
Abstract
A summary of the activities carried out in the last four years by Alta S.p.A. on hydrogen peroxide for propulsive applications is given. In the framework of European Space Agency and Italian Government funded projects, a significant know-how on this matter has been gained by Alta in collaboration with the Universities of Messina and Pisa. Tests have been carried out in the GPRT facility, an easily reconfigurable and expandable experimental apparatus for the characterization of the propulsive performance of small monopropellant thrusters. After an intensive phase of development and characterization, several advanced catalytic beds capable of effectively decomposing hydrogen peroxide have been obtained. In order to characterize the catalysts under real working conditions two reconfigurable monopropellant thruster prototypes were simultaneously designed and successfully tested at Alta. Endurance tests on the LR-III-106 and CZ-11-600 catalysts allowed for accumulating respect...I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.