Masters Thesis

Preliminary Screening of Catalytic Beds Using Hydrogen Peroxide for CubeSat Propulsion Systems

Abstract:

The CubeSat industry has been steadily expanding in recent years, necessitating the provision of this satellite class with orbit maneuverability propulsion systems. Recent space breakthroughs have resulted in the implementation of several simpler and less expensive rocket technologies. Environmental concerns and subsequent legislative regulations mandate the substitution of green propellants for current (hydrazine-based) harmful propellants with minimal performance loss. Because of its flexibility and innocuous nature, hydrogen peroxide is a promising candidate for the future of green propellants. Its calm nature allows the advancement of simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly propulsion with sufficient performance to replace hydrazine or other high-performing toxic propellants. In this context, Green Propellants' chemical monopropellant propulsion technologies compete with more popular electric alternatives.

Within the framework of the CubeSat HTP Innovative Propulsion System (CHIPS) project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), an affordable CubeSat Propulsion Hydrogen Peroxide thruster was designed and developed with a thrust level lower than 0.5 N.

The present thesis work focuses on the preliminary screening of the Platinum enclosed Aluminium Oxide pellet catalytic beds for the decomposition of the Hydrogen Peroxide for monopropellant thrusters. The exclusive test bench is set up to perform the catalyst activity tests to collect the different experimental data to investigate the decomposition activity and susceptibility to the poisoning of the catalytic bed to identify the best suitable catalyst for the realistic experimentation in the HP monopropellant rocket engine prototype test facility for CHIPS project.