SBIR-STTR Award

Nitrous Oxide Liquid Injection Thrust Vector Control System Testing
Award last edited on: 10/31/2008

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NASA : ARC
Total Award Amount
$697,805
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
S4.07
Principal Investigator
George Whittinghill

Company Information

Whittinghill Aerospace LLC

265 Durley Avenue Suite 213
Camarillo, CA 93010
Location: Single
Congr. District: 26
County: Ventura

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2008
Phase I Amount
$98,852
Nitrous Oxide is proposed as an energetic liquid injection thrust vector control fluid for vehicle attitude control during dynamic vehicle maneuvers. Pulled from the main propulsion system oxidizer tank, it features system simplicity, no toxicity, room temperature storability, high system mass fraction and superior performance due to its exothermic decomposition characteristics, answering the need for innovative attitude control technologies. A series of 1,000 lb thrust hybrid rocket motor tests are proposed to characterize Nitrous Oxide's Side Specific Impulse as a function of thrust vectoring angle. At the conclusion of Phase 1, the technology will be ready for development for a small upper stage, and will be at a TRL of 5. At the end of Phase 2, its performance characteristics will be completely known, and its development for an integrated Main Propulsion/Thrust Vector Control /Attitude Control System for a small launch vehicle would be appropriate.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2009
Phase II Amount
$598,953
A Nitrous Oxide-fed Liquid Thrust Vector Control system is proposed as an efficient method for vehicle attitude control during powered flight. Pulled from a N2O main propulsion system oxidizer tank, it features system simplicity, no toxicity, room temperature storability, high system mass fraction and superior performance due to its exothermic decomposition characteristics, answering the need for innovative attitude control technologies. A continuing series of 1,000 lb thrust hybrid rocket motor tests are proposed to characterize N2O's Side Specific Impulse as a function of thrust vectoring angle, as well as a series of 4,000 lb thrust motor firings culminating in a closed-loop Guidance Navigation and Control Hardware-In-The-Loop test in a vertical stand. At the conclusion of Phase 2, the technology will be ready for development into an upper stage as an integrated main propulsion Thrust Vector Control (TVC) /Attitude Control System for a small launch vehicle, or as a separate TVC system for any solid, liquid or hybrid powered vehicle.