Hybrid Rocket Engine (Project Atlas); Private vs. Public: The Future of Space Technology

The technical project and the STS research both share their focus on the development of space technologies. The technical project aims to iterate on making an efficient hybrid motor fuel injector, which has technical applications beyond just a hybrid motor. The STS research analyzes the future of the space industry and the involvement of the public vs. private sector.

A hybrid engine is a combustion engine that uses a liquid (or gas) oxidizer and a solid fuel to generate thrust. Building a hybrid motor is relatively safe compared to solid or liquid rocket motors. The combustion reaction between the oxidizer and the solid fuel happens on the immediate boundary layer of the solid, decreasing the chance that the whole system goes out of control. In the case of Project Atlas, the oxidizer selected was nitrous oxide for its relative safety, availability, and ease of working with. The solid fuel chosen was ABS plastic for its price and ease of manufacturability; it can be 3D printed into various shapes. The nitrous starts from a pressurized tank and moves through the oxidizer supply system, where various pressure relief valves and throttling devices make sure that the pressure and mass flow rate are optimal for the fuel injector. The ceramic 3D-printed fuel injectors spray the nitrous into the thrust chamber into the ABS fuel grain. As the team conducts hot-fire tests, the ultimate goal is to test various ABS fuel grain and injector geometries to achieve optimal thrust profiles. The combusted gas reacted in the fuel grain exiting the combustion chamber through the nozzle, propelling the rocket forward. The assembly is mounted on a thrust stand that measures the force produced by the rocket. It is set up on a linear rail connected to a load cell. The system is controlled using a remote DAQ system that allows the team to throttle the oxidizer flow. This technical project is crucial for the future technologies being implemented in space. There are various forms of technical momentum, public technology development, private technology development, but what is the best way to move forward? What is the “best” way to develop space technology, and how does it serve humanity’s interest?

The STS topic analyzes the key differences between public and private development of space technology and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Each of them plays a part in the future that serves our best interests. The public sector has always been in the interest of the people. By its nature, the main sources of funding come from tax dollars. This means that the public space sector is always answerable to the people. In recent years, the public sector has been getting its funding cut because the government cannot justify spending money on space development when private companies are performing the task so much more efficiently. The private space technology development sector operates on thin margins, and shareholder value must always be at the forefront of innovation. The competition amongst private space companies means that they are pushing each other to innovate on propulsion technology more quickly. The best way for space technology to develop to serve us best would be to utilize joint ventures between public and private space companies. The public companies bring in their direction, guiding the drive and innovation from the private companies. There have been many examples of this being successful in the past and recent news, and this balance ensures that humanity’s goals are achieved efficiently and effectively.

The Hybrid Rocket Project, Atlas, pushes hybrid propulsion technology that could be used in the future of space exploration. The utilization of public and private space technology development allows us to achieve that future.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Technical Advisor: Chloe Dedic; Daniel Quinn

STS Advisor: Travis Elliott

Technical Team Members: Gavin Miller, Harshit Dhayal, Ved Thakare, Mannix Green, Aiden Winfield, Sean Dunn, Dominic Profaci, Thomas DeCanio, Joshua Bird, Harrison Bobbitt, Taka Suzuki, Jack Spinnanger, Isaac Tisinger, Silas Agnew, Zach Hinz, Alex Gorodchanin, Adis Gorenca, James Dalzel