Pump-Fed Satellite Delivery Stage Engine Technology

Bell Aerospace Textron has developed a series of vortex-film fuel-cooled columbium delivery stage engines varying in thrust from 550-3000 lbf for use with N₂O₄/MMH propellants. In particular, a 1000 lbf thrust engine was developed and demonstrated excellent durability with high performance as a pressure-fed engine. This engine was mated with an electric pump developed by AiResearch Manufacturing Company for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The pump-fed engine was then tested over a chamber pressure range demonstrating 750-1060 lbf thrust. Performance was comparable to that obtained with pressure-fed operation and no adverse interactions between the pump and engine were found. The feasibility of electric motor pump-fed rocket engines for satellite delivery stage applications was demonstrated.