Research Group

Advanced Propellants

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Video: HIP_11 hot run with a test combustion chamber
HIP_11 is a propellant with hydrogen peroxide and a salt. HIP_11 has self-igniting properties. The propellant was tested on the M11 test facility at the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen.
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Combustion chamber test with nitromethane-based green monergol
Nitromethane is a promising green hydrazine alternative. Compared to other hydrazine substitutes based on ADN or HAN as well as hydrogen peroxide monergols, nitromethane propellants are significantly cheaper with the same or higher performance and do not require more expensive precious metal-based solid catalysts for combustion and ignition.
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Assembly work on the vacuum test bench for green fuels
A DLR research team assembles a research engine at the M11 test stand complex.

Chemical satellite engines are still mainly operated with the liquid propellants dinitrogen tetroxide together with hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine (MMH) or asymmetric dimethylhydrazine (UDMH), which are very toxic but can be stored for very long periods of time and deliver consistent performance characteristics. As part of the European Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, hydrazine has been placed on the candidate list of substances whose use may be banned throughout Europe. This is mainly due to its negative properties for humans and the environment. In addition, hydrazine is also undesirable in the "New Space" sector with its start-ups and micro-launchers due to the high hurdles and requirements for its use.

In order to replace hydrazine, alternative or advanced new propellants are required, so-called "green propellants", which enable the same or better performance characteristics of the engines over comparable periods of use. Therefore, ionic liquids as propellant, which react with hydrogen peroxide H2O2/ High Test Peroxide (HTP) as liquid oxidizer hypergol, premixed and non-premixed N2O hydrocarbon-based systems (HyNOx, NOFBx), as well as energetic ionic liquids (EILs) and nitromethane-based mongergol systems are equally investigated in Lampoldshausen. Advanced propellants generally aim to significantly reduce the risk to people and the environment. This not only results in less effort in handling the substances, but also reduces costs due to the lower safety requirements.

Contact

Lukas Werling

Deputy Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Space Propulsion
Satellite and Orbital Propulsion
Im Langen Grund, 74239 Hardthausen
Germany