Operational Research Project on Hybrid Engine in Europe

Nowadays, chemical propulsion is based on solid (launch applications like first stage booster) or liquid technologies (primary stages, upper stage engines). Complementary, hybrid propulsion technology, as defined in ORPHEE (Operational Research Project on Hybrid Engine in Europe), appears as a new generation of advanced space transportation system. Engines based on this innovative propulsion concept can provide advantages like thrust performance, throttling (thrust modulation), versatility (easy adaptation to various configurations), simplicity, safety. It will help to consolidate the long term sustainability and ensure a technology needed by the European propulsion space community to remain independent. Hybrid propulsion principle is based on the injection of a liquid or gaseous oxidizer into the engine combustion chamber where it reacts with a solid fuel to generate hot gases providing the thrust. Enlarging the burning surface is the current proposed solution to reach the needed performance level. It dramatically increases the solid grain volume and the engine weight, limiting the applications. The regression rate is a key parameter controlling the solid fuel grain design. Its increase is a very attractive solution to reduce the grain volume. The main objectives of ORPHEE are to increase versatility of space propulsion systems, to ensure a significant increase in the performance of a hybrid engine, to improve the solid fuel technological maturity from TRL 1 to 3, to gather the European skills on hybrid propulsion and to ensure European access to space. In near future, the availability of new hybrid engines will allow the access to new space transportation missions. By consolidating the knowledge on this innovative technology and by implementing solutions in upcoming space agencies roadmaps, the European space propulsion community will strengthen its global competitiveness. To achieve the overall objectives described above, numerous measurable objectives have been identified in term of knowledge development and physics understanding, but also in term of technological planning development. �� Performance requirements for two Space transportation applications o Upper stage engine o Booster engine �� Solid fuel formulation characterized by an increased regression rate to reach 3-4 mm/s �� Test-firingatlab-scale o Test definition o Material supplying o Grain manufacturing �� Feasibility of models for mastering o Liquid oxidizer injection o Solid fuel regression o Combustion efficiency o Operating effect (chamber geometry, operating pressure, ...) �� Demonstrator design for both applications and test bench design for demonstrating advantages of Hybrid engines. The scientific and technological objectives are related to provide European space industries a better and new knowledge on hybrid technology. Missions definition and propulsive performance requirements are also defined to induce preliminary designs of demonstrators. By dealing with an innovative propulsion system, ORPHEE will have a deep dissemination impact in Europe through the variety participating disciplines (research, process and engineering, modelling and simulation...). Finally, the innovative assets will deal with: �� New knowledge on fuel and oxidizer materials (i.e. optimised fuel with regard to regression rate and propulsive performance) �� Development of characterization methodology by experimental set up improvement and adaptation (small and laboratory scale) �� Knowledge of physical phenomena through both numerical tools and experimental approach �� Development of models for engine preliminary design �� Development of manufacturing device and safety knowledge involved in the grain manufacturing �� Better understanding of physical phenomena involved in hybrid engine operating �� New knowledge in engine architecture through new grain design and proposition of demonstrator design  Partners - SNPE Matériaux Energétiques - COORDINATOR - EADS ASTRIUM S.A.S. - EADS ASTRIUM GmbH - AVIO S.P.A. - ONERA - Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales - DLR - Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. - Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Energetica - Universita Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II - UPB-Universitatea Politehnica Din Bicuresti - Thyia Tehnologije d.o.o