Development and optimization of a catalytic thruster for hydrogen peroxide decomposition

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide is a non toxic, low cost, green onopropellant with a significant potential for applications in satellite microthrusters. It presents a density-specific impulse similar to hydrazine. A new bulk mixed oxide catalyst for decomposition of hydrogen peroxide has been developed and tested in a 2 N thruster with modular parts, allowing the use of catalytic beds with different diameters and lengths. A method of experiment design with a star configuration was implemented to optimize the catalytic bed geometry, in order to yield complete peroxide decomposition, reduce thruster size and volume and provide maximum thrust.