The start of the space programs lead to the development of catalytic propulsion system using pure hydrazine and Ir/Al2O3 catalysts. Recently, the toxicity of hydrazine promoted the search for less toxic propellants. The currently studied substitutes are highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (90-98 wt-%), nitrous oxide or energetic aqueous ionic mixtures containing an ionic oxidizer (like hydroxylammonium nitrate, HAN), a ionic or molecular fuel (like glycine of methanol) and water.Current prospective applications of catalytic propulsion are:Hybrid engines: the hot oxygen formed during catalytic decomposition of a liquid oxidizer can burn a solid fuel.Hypergolic bipropellants: the direct mixture of an oxidizer (like H2O2) and a liquid fuel (like kerosene) can lead to a spontaneous ignition,Air breathing high speed scramjet or pulse detonating engines: catalytic transformation of the liquid fuelCatalytic ignition of cryogenic H2-O2 mixtures.Catalysts as burn rate modifiers for solid propulsion.

Energy, space propulsion, and catalysis: An exciting adventure

245th National Meeting (2013)

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