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Phase II Final Report - NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts

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Planetary Exploration Using Biomimetics<br />

An Entomopter <strong>for</strong> Flight on Mars<br />

Table 3-12: Monopropellants and Their <strong>Phase</strong>-change Temperatures<br />

Monopropellant<br />

Boiling<br />

Point<br />

( o C)<br />

Freezing<br />

Point<br />

( o C)<br />

Density<br />

(gm/cm 3 )<br />

Combustion<br />

Temperature<br />

( o C)<br />

Specific<br />

Impulse<br />

(Isp)<br />

Hydrogen Peroxide<br />

(0.9H 2 O 2 0.1H 2 O) 141.1 -11.5 1.39 757 148<br />

Ethylene Oxide (C 2 H 4 O) 10.6 -112.8 0.87 1004 199<br />

Nitromethane (CH 3 NO 2 ) 101.2 -29 1.14 2193 245<br />

n-Propyl Nitrate (C 3 H 7 NO 3 ) 110.5 -101.1 1.057 1078 210<br />

Hydrazine (N 2 H 4 ) 113.4 1.5 1.008 633 199<br />

Hydrazine Propellant Blend (HPB)<br />

HPB-1808 (18% HN, 8% water) 100 -20 na 230<br />

61% Hydroxylammonium Nitrate<br />

(NH 3 OH)NO 3 (HAN) 14% Glycine<br />

(H 2 NCH 2 CO OH) 100 -35 na 190<br />

Table 3-13: Characteristics of Fuel Candidates<br />

Hydrogen<br />

Ammonia<br />

Hydrazine<br />

Fuel<br />

Monomethyl<br />

Hydrazine<br />

Unsymmetrical<br />

dimethyl-hydrazine<br />

(UDMH)<br />

Characteristics<br />

Hydrogen is a stable, noncorrosive, nontoxic material. However, in order to be usable<br />

<strong>for</strong> this mission it must be kept in a liquid state. This requires cryogenic storage which<br />

would significantly increase the complexity of the mission.<br />

Ammonia is a stable compound that can be stored in Teflon, 18-8 stainless steel, aluminum<br />

or polyethylene. It is mildly toxic but can be fatal in concentrated exposure.<br />

The main issue with its use <strong>for</strong> this mission is that it is in the gaseous state under mission<br />

conditions.<br />

Although its most common use is as a monopropellant, hydrazine can also be used as<br />

a bipropellant. It has the same general properties as the monopropellant version; however,<br />

its per<strong>for</strong>mance is significantly improved when utilized in combination with an<br />

oxidizer.<br />

Monomethyl hydrazine is fairly stable at lower temperatures; however, it becomes<br />

unstable above 260°C (500°F). It can be stored in 18-8 stainless steel, aluminum, or<br />

Teflon. It is toxic. Its liquid temperature range is well within the requirements <strong>for</strong> the<br />

mission environment.<br />

Unsymmetrical dimethyl-hydrazine is stable at low temperatures but becomes violently<br />

unstable at temperatures above 260°C (500°F). It can be stored in most materials<br />

including mild steel, 18-8 stainless steel, aluminum, Teflon, and polyethylene. It<br />

has a lower level of toxicity then hydrazine but more then that of ammonia. Its liquidstate<br />

temperature range is well within that of the mission requirements.<br />

172<br />

<strong>Phase</strong> <strong>II</strong> <strong>Final</strong> <strong>Report</strong>

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