Polyethylene and Hydrogen Peroxide Hybrid Testing at the United States Air Force Academy

摘要

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) has been conducting propulsion research over the past several years and has recently been focusing on hydrogen peroxide applications. A hybrid motor configuration using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizer and polyethylene as the fuel was first tested at USAFA in the spring of 1996. While the propellants have not changed since the first test firing, significant advancements have been made in catalyst design, ignition, nozzles, and thrust levels. Three static tests and one sounding rocket flight were accomplished during the spring semester 1998 at USAFA. The static test goals were: (1) Demonstrate autoignition of single and multiple port motors; (2) Examine methods for reducing ignition time; (3) Characterize fuel regression; (4) Gather data on flux rates through the catalyst material and fuel port; (5) Characterize and validate performance accurately through simulation; and (6) Develop sufficient thrust for a sounding rocket.