High-performance hydrogen peroxide / HTPB fueled hybrid rocket upper stage for small launch vehicles.
H2O2/HTPB Hybrid Upper Stage
High-performance hydrogen peroxide / HTPB fueled hybrid rocket upper stage for small launch vehicles.
Description
Parabilis Space Technologies' Hybrid Upper Stage is a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) / hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) fueled hybrid rocket motor designed for use as a launch vehicle upper stage. The system leverages Parabilis' more than 35 years of propulsion heritage across hybrid and liquid bi-propellant programs. The H2O2/HTPB propellant combination delivers a performance-efficient, lower-complexity approach compared to highly toxic storable propellants while achieving the thrust levels needed for upper-stage applications in the small and responsive-space launch market. Parabilis has designed, built, and tested multiple hybrid motor configurations including N2O/HTPB, H2O2/HTPB, MON3/HTPB, and N2O4/Paraffin at its dedicated propulsion test site in Ramona, California, which is permitted for testing up to 5,000 lbf of thrust. The company has also demonstrated variable-throttle hybrid engine technologies, developed liquid injection thrust vector control (LITVC), and produced additive manufactured propulsion components. Parabilis has propulsion program heritage with Atlas/Centaur, SpaceShipOne, SpaceShipTwo, DreamChaser, and the Trailblazer small launch vehicle.
Specifications
| Propellants | H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) / HTPB |
|---|---|
| Application | Small launch vehicle upper stage |
| Ignition | Custom pyrotechnic or spark ignition hardware |
| Throttle | Variable-throttle demonstrated |
| TVC | Liquid injection thrust vector control (LITVC) |
| Test facility | Dedicated propulsion test site, Ramona CA, up to 5,000 lbf |