The project, carried out in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), Warsaw University of Technology, and the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation, focuses on the development of a 1-newton thruster powered by highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (HTP, 98%).
The catalyst bed is a critical component of any monopropellant propulsion system. While hydrazine-based systems typically use iridium-based catalysts on alumina supports, silver catalysts have historically been used with HTP due to silver’s high decomposition efficiency.
However, silver becomes unsuitable for HTP concentrations above 90–92%, as the highly exothermic decomposition reaction rapidly raises the catalyst bed temperature close to silver’s melting point. This leads to degradation of the catalyst over time due to oxidation or sintering, especially in long-duration operation.
The goal of the project is to develop a catalyst capable of efficiently and reliably decomposing 98% HTP. Among the materials under consideration are manganese oxide-based beds (MnOx/Al₂O₃), sometimes enriched with cobalt oxides, as well as more advanced ceramic structures—such as honeycomb-type configurations (MnOx/2MgO/2Al₂O₃/5SiO₂).
This research aims to identify the most promising technology for the safe and efficient use of 98% hydrogen peroxide as a green rocket propellant. If the results are positive, further development of the 1 N thruster using the newly developed catalyst will proceed.
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