Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering
Design And Performance Evaluations Of A Lo2/Methane Reaction Control Engine, Aaron Johnson
Design And Performance Evaluations Of A Lo2/Methane Reaction Control Engine, Aaron Johnson
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid methane (LCH4) are a propellant combination viewed as a potential enabling technology for spacecraft propulsion. Reasons why LOX/LCH4 is being used as an alternative propellant source include: it is less toxic than other propellants, it has the possibility to be harvested on extraterrestrial soil, LCH4 has a higher energy density than liquid hydrogen (LH2; commonly used on vehicle main engines), and LOX/LCH4 has comparable performance to other well-known propellant combinations. Through the continued partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) a LOX/LCH4 reaction control …