HyTeX | Hybrid Rocket Technology Exploration

Summary
The space industry is going through a transformational phase, creating unprecedented levels of growth for space and nonspace actors/industry. In the next years a significant increase in the market of small satellites up to 500 kg is expected. The HyImpulse start-up has been created recently and intends to bring to the market the key technologies for a game-changing, unique, low risk, innovative small launcher, with a 500 kg payload capability to LEO. The launcher will be based on a combination of novel and established technologies, using inherently safe hybrid propulsion (paraffin/LOX propellants). These engines combine a liquid oxidizer with a solid fuel thus enabling to benefit from both bi-liquid and solid technologies and advantages.

Unlike solid and liquid technologies, hybrid engines did not benefit from large investments and research in the past due to the inherent complex phenomena occurring into their combustion chamber. This is however changing with the new space constraints which make hybrid motors serious candidate for future applications. This research fellowship aims at bringing hybrid propulsion from the current state of development to a fully mature technology enabling the flight of sounding rockets and small launchers.

The action will allow the elaboration of novel measurement and analysis techniques to study the fuel regression rate, the wax composition properties & the engine performances and stability. In addition to the scientific investigations of complex and coupled phenomena occurring in the combustion chamber of a hybrid engine, an innovative wax manufacturing process will be optimised in collaboration with colleagues from HyImpulse. The most original aspect of the fellowship is the combination of scientific investigations of complex phenomena with innovative technical developments that are required to make hybrid propulsion technology competitive in the coming years.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101022868
Start date: 01-03-2021
End date: 28-02-2023
Total budget - Public funding: 174 806,40 Euro - 174 806,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The space industry is going through a transformational phase, creating unprecedented levels of growth for space and nonspace actors/industry. In the next years a significant increase in the market of small satellites up to 500 kg is expected. The HyImpulse start-up has been created recently and intends to bring to the market the key technologies for a game-changing, unique, low risk, innovative small launcher, with a 500 kg payload capability to LEO. The launcher will be based on a combination of novel and established technologies, using inherently safe hybrid propulsion (paraffin/LOX propellants). These engines combine a liquid oxidizer with a solid fuel thus enabling to benefit from both bi-liquid and solid technologies and advantages.

Unlike solid and liquid technologies, hybrid engines did not benefit from large investments and research in the past due to the inherent complex phenomena occurring into their combustion chamber. This is however changing with the new space constraints which make hybrid motors serious candidate for future applications. This research fellowship aims at bringing hybrid propulsion from the current state of development to a fully mature technology enabling the flight of sounding rockets and small launchers.

The action will allow the elaboration of novel measurement and analysis techniques to study the fuel regression rate, the wax composition properties & the engine performances and stability. In addition to the scientific investigations of complex and coupled phenomena occurring in the combustion chamber of a hybrid engine, an innovative wax manufacturing process will be optimised in collaboration with colleagues from HyImpulse. The most original aspect of the fellowship is the combination of scientific investigations of complex phenomena with innovative technical developments that are required to make hybrid propulsion technology competitive in the coming years.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2020

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
MSCA-IF-2020 Individual Fellowships