Synthesis and Fabrication of Nanothermite Fuel for Space Propulsion

航天工业正在经历小型卫星使用的指数级增长。在降低发射成本的同时，紧凑型卫星为发现、巡逻和商业任务提供了独特的价值。新型小型卫星推进技术的发展是该行业持续发展的核心，并得到全球大量投资的支持。为了支持这一增长，该项目将开发创新的合成和燃料颗粒制造技术并将其商业化，以促进基于可调谐和高功率密度亚稳态分子间复合材料(MIC，也称为纳米热剂)的新型空间推进技术。提出的方法涉及四个研究部分：(1)优化核壳和杂化纳米热媒复合材料的材料合成；(2)开发纳米热媒基燃料芯块的3D打印工艺标准；(3)实验研究合成复合材料和填充芯块的组成/微观结构与反应机理/能量产生之间的关系；(4)开发具有适当精度的数学模型，以捕捉已识别的物理(燃烧机理、火焰传播、推力产生等)。从具有代表性的3D打印样本中提取。通过技术开发和HQP培训，研究成果有望使小卫星新型推进系统的制造成为可能。这项技术将使轨道机动、导航、稳定、驻留和指向成为可能。该项目将进一步帮助加拿大公司渗透到目标空间市场，这需要进行原创性研究，开发高能量释放复合材料、成本效益高的材料合成方法和先进的器件制造技术。

The space industry is experiencing an exponential increase in the use of small satellites. Along with reduced launch costs, compact satellites provide unique value for discovery, patrolling, and commercial missions. The development of novel small satellite propulsion technology is central to a continued growth of this industry and is being supported by significant global investments. To support this growth, this project will develop and commercialize innovative synthesis and fuel pellet fabrication technologies to facilitate a novel in-space propulsion technology based on tunable and high-power-density metastable intermolecular composites (MIC, also called nanothermite). The proposed methodology addresses four research components: (1) optimizing material synthesis of core-shell and hybrid nanothermite composites; (2) developing a standard for 3D printing process for nanothermite-based fuel pellets; (3) experimental investigation of correlations between reaction mechanisms/energy production and compositions/microstructures of both synthesized composites and packed pellets; and (4) developing a mathematical model, with appropriate accuracy, to capture the identified physics (combustion mechanism, flame propagation, thrust production, etc.) from representative 3D printed specimens. The research outcomes, through technology development and HQP training, are expected to enable manufacturing of novel propulsion systems for small satellites. This technology will enable orbital maneuvering, navigation, stabilization, stationing and pointing. This project will further help the penetration of Canadian companies in the target space market which requires original research developing high-energy-release composites, cost-effective material synthesis methods, and advanced device fabrication technologies.