Status update report for the peregrine sounding rocket project: Part III

Abstract

The Peregrine Sounding Rocket Program is a joint program of NASA-Ames, NASA-Wallops, Stanford University and Space Propulsion Group, Inc. to develop and fly a high performance sounding rocket based on liquefying fuel hybrid rocket technology. The program was kicked off in November of 2006 and initial ground testing of the propulsion system begain in July 2008. Two virtually identical vehicles capable of lofting a 5kg payload to 100km will be constructed and flown out of the NASA Sounding Rocket Facility at Wallops Island. The propellants utilized are nitrous oxide and paraffin, a high regression rate liquefying fuel initially developed at Stanford University. The goal of the Peregrine program is to demonstrate the operational maturity of liquefying hybrid propulsion systems for space applications and their potential to reduce propulsion system costs. This is the third in a series of three annual papers outlining the Peregrine project and providing status updates. The majority of this (JPC 2009) paper will focus on the results of the propulsion system ground test program and the detailed design of the vehicle.