RESULT OF ESA-GREENRAIM TEST ACTIVITIES PART 2 : EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A 1 NEWTON NITROUS OXIDE MONOPROPELLANT RESEARCH THRUSTER

Kurzfassung

In the present paper a test campaign with a nitrous oxide monopropellant thruster is described. The goal of the test campaign is to collect data for validation of an EcosimPro ESPSS simulation model for monopropellant catalytic thrusters. A totalof 90 tests are performed, of which 32 achieved decomposition of N2O. Temperature inside the catalyst and pressure drop over the catalyst bed is measured. A 32wt. % Iridium catalyst is used. C-star efficiency of up to 88% was observed.