Swedish Space (SSC) and Volvo Aero have formed a joint venture company, Ecological Advanced Propulsion Systems (ECAPS), to develop environmentally friendly fuel for satellite and rocket engines.
ECAPS expects a $50 million order from the Swedish Space Agency by April "for a technology demonstration in-flight on a micro satellite demonstrator in a low Earth orbit", says SSC. Initially, development will focus on satellite motors using the new propulsion technology.
The companies say their combined satellite systems and rocket engine experience gives them the "expertise required to develop an attractive and competitive alternative, called High Performance Green Propellant [HPGP] 101, to replace today's predominant fuel, hydrazine".
The new fuel, based on a patent owned by ECAPS, is a monopropellant blend "based on ammonium dinitramide [ADN]. The blend is dissolved oxygen-rich ADN, mixed with a suitable fuel-rich component. A family of ADN-based propellant blends are currently patent pending," says SSC.
The partners also plan to develop a complete propulsion system, with rocket engines, valves, lines and tanks using HPGP 101.
Hydrazine, which is used for satellite and rocket engines, is hazardous and carcinogenic, requiring strict handling regulations. "The unique features with this chemical monopropellant are that it is more efficient than hydrazine, but low toxic, non-carcinogenic, generally safe to handle and environmentally benign," says SSC. "There are other non-hydrazine monopropellants in use, but not with performance comparable to the monopropellant hydrazine or HPGP, which has the added advantage of being environmentally friendly," it adds. The new "green" fuel is not explosive or hazardous, says Claes-Göran Borg, chairman of ECAPS. "It is expected that this will give substantial cost savings as a result of reduced handling expenses," he adds.
Following testing, ECAPS aims to market and sell the fuel and propulsion system for use in small low Earth orbit satellites. The company believes that the market for the new fuel "could be worth $500 million".
China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control Centre has signed an agreement with SSC on ground station support.Source: Flight International
