TECHNOLOGY

Chemical
Propulsion

We develop monopropellant, bi-propellant and hybrid propellant hydrogen-peroxide propulsion systems for in-space and access-to-space applications for small satellite platforms.

GREEN

PROPELLANTS

H202

HTP HIGHLY STABILIZED

1 N TO 10 KN

RANGE OF THRUST
Products under development

ALPHARD
MONO
PROPELLANT
SYSTEMS

Monopropellant High-test highly stabilized hydrogen peroxide propulsion system providing 20 N of thrust.
+ DISCOVER MORE

KUMA
BI-
PROPELLANT
SYSTEMS

Bi- propellant HTP-Kerosene propulsion system providing from 1 to 500 N of thrust, scalable to few kN.

+ DISCOVER MORE

TEIDE
HYBRID
PROPELLANT
SYSTEMS

Hybrid propulsion system, based on HTP and paraffin wax, providing from 100 N to 10 kN of thrust.

+ DISCOVER MORE

OXIDIZER

Our key technology for the oxidizer is highly-stabilized hydrogen peroxide, that is a green and non-toxic propellant.
We perform in-house concentration of our hydrogen peroxide, thus eliminating the transportation issues of highly concentrated H2O2 and allowing us to operate with a concentration level up to 95%. ​
In addition, we have an extensive expertise operating with nitrous oxide and gaseous oxygen.

FUEL

We use paraffin wax for our hybrid propulsion systems. Paraffin wax is a green fuel. In combination with H2O2 as oxidizer, exhaust gases are water, steam and CO2. Thanks to its liquefying characteristic, it provides high regression rates, thus allowing simple single port fuel grains. Our paraffin has thermomechanical performance able to withstand launch vibrations and in-orbit temperature stresses. We can use also polyethylene and polyethylene/paraffine blends depending on customers’ request and on mission specifications.
For our bi-propellant propulsion systems we use kerosene as green propellant.

MAIN FEATURES

Our chemical propulsion systems can be fully reconfigured
depending on customer needs.
Toxicity  All the combinations are green, non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, providing minimum environmental impact
Safety  High
Concentration  90-95%. Tailored to customer requirements
Handling  Standard chemical protection suits, no SCAPE suits
Throttleability  1:10  
Restartability  Yes

Download Products Overview

capabilities

We carry out research and development activities
through a extensive combined numerical-experimental investigations

We are working with paraffin wax as fuel since 2007, casting fuel grains up to 200 kg, acquiring a wide database on fuel types and properties.
We are capable of in-situ concentration to avoid transportation issues of propulsion-grade hydrogen peroxide.
We have performed more than 500 tests on motors, from laboratory scale to full scale, acquiring also flight experience.

TIMELINE

FUNDED PROJECTS

We are developing chemical rocket motors since 2006.
The research and development took place through different research programs, both financed internally and within FP7/H2020 programs in cooperation with major Aerospace companies.

\
2010
Flight of a 20 kN N2O-paraffin hybrid booster funded by major aerospace company.
\
2010 - 2014
SPARTAN FP7 European program. Consortium coordinated by Thales Alenia Space.
\
2014 ON GOING
Start of current activities with hydrogen peroxide funded by major aerospace company.
\
2019 - 2021
Development of a flight demonstrator.