Experimental Campaign on a Green Bipropellant Reaction Control Thruster

As final act of the PulCheR project, an experimental activity has been performed on a 20 N bipropellant thruster prototype, specifically developed in the framework of the FP7 PulCheR project for demonstrating the achieved level of the developed technologies. The bipropellant thruster is based on green propellants: 98% hydrogen peroxide and propyne. The potentiality of the present propellants has been demonstrated in past activities during the same PulCheR project, but it has been proved again by using new technologies, specifically developed for the harsh and demanding environment within the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, the tests were not able to demonstrate the achievement of all the goals for the failure of the combustion chambers. However, the performance requirements have been successfully achieved. Additionally, the post-test analyses have highlighted the key points to be furtherly developed in the future.