Characterise the Storability/Compatibility and Safety of Hydrogen Peroxide for use in space propulsion applications and resolve disputes over the suitability of its use for these applications.

 

 

Hydrogen Peroxide has been investigated and used as a propellant since the 40's.However, since the 70's there has been significant controversy regarding the storability, long term chemical compatibility and handling of the high purity grades required for the use as a propellant.

 

In the past decade, extensive research has been devoted to hydrogen peroxide including major efforts in Europe (e.g. EU FP7 GRASP). This includes a better understanding of the hydrogen peroxide chemistry but is not yet conclusive.

 

Therefore there is a need to provide a definitive status on the storability / compatibility and safety characteristics of this propellant. The goal is to have a neutral entity perform analysis testing via a meticulous experimental approach to provide definitive, credible conclusions on storability and material compatibilityand identify space propulsion applications for which hydrogen peroxide is appropriate.

 

The activity should include:

 

• Propellant Safety characterisation (e.g. resistance to radiation, adiabatic compressibility).

 

• Material compatibility (e.g. long term storage, material surface treatmentinvestigation).

 

• Long term storability (e.g. influence of the impurities on the hydrogen peroxide chemistry).