High Performance, Electrically-Assisted Ionic Monopropellant Thruster Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-067 Topic Title: High Performance, Electrically-Assisted Ionic Monopropellant Thruster Proposal No.: N161-067-0346 Firm: Physical Sciences Inc. 20 New England Business Center Andover, Massachusetts 1810 Contact: Jeffrey Wegener Phone: (978) 738-8164 Web Site: http://www.psicorp.com Abstract: Physical Sciences Inc. proposes to develop a unique ionic monopropellant thruster for next generation DACS that uses an electrically-assisted ignition technique to generate rapid thrust impulses with short ignition delay times. The thruster will produce these short delay times with low power consumption using a novel monopropellant decomposition strategy and a high performance electrode arrangement. The ignition technique is particularly suited for thrusters on vehicles with volume- and power-limited envelopes. In Phase I, we will optimize the thruster design and measure key performance metrics in combustion tests. The Phase I will conclude with a 25 lbf thruster design. In Phase II, we would test the Phase I design to show that low power consumption is feasible for a wide range of thrust requirements, and that the materials selected can survive the high-temperature, corrosive conditions of repeated long-duration burns. Upon successful technology development under the SBIR program, full-scale protoflight systems and SM-3 DACS systems will be developed in technology transition programs. Benefits: Successful demonstration of the electrically-assisted thruster will have applications in both commercial and military technology ranging from expendable and reusable launch vehicles to small tactical missiles. Development of an effective propulsion system utilizing green monopropellants is a critical technology requirement for both strategic defense and space exploration. The thruster will provide for an advanced interceptor propulsion system that will minimize ignition delay time, electrical power consumption, and system volume, while maximizing specific impulse using high-performance ionic monopropellants. Return