Replacement of Hydrazine: Overview and First Results of the H2020 Project Rheform

Abstract

The goal of the EU Horizon2020 project Rheform is the replacement of hydrazine with liquid propellants based on ammonium dinitramide (ADN) for orbital and launcher propulsion systems. Hydrazine and its derivatives are the standard propellants for spacecraft propulsion system since the 1960s, but they are highly toxic and carcinogenic. New regulations will lead to restriction of their use in the near to mid-term. The first part of this article gives an overview on ADN-based propellants and of the Rheform project. The second part contains the results of thermochemical calculations showing the influence of propellant formulation on performance and combustion chamber temperatures.