SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
IN SITU MARTIAN ROCKET AND "AIR BREATHING" JET ENGINES
Technical Abstract:
The burning of the Martian atmosphere with a new in situ fuel is an
innovative power source for rocket and jet engines on Mars. This new source
of power can also be used to drive turboshaft engines for power generation
and providing land vehicle locomotion. This concept is innovative and
unique because it uses the Martian atmosphere in its natural form in the
combustion process. Because of this, it is possible to make Martian
"air breathing" engines for power and transportation. This innovation is
relevant to the subtopic since it utilizes extraterrestrial resources on
Mars to reduce the amount of mass required to be sent from earth to Mars. It
is significant, because new engine concepts become possible that are not
feasible with current Martian in situ propellant concepts.
Phase I will identify the best method of mixing the fuel with carbon
dioxide through a series of combustion tests. The Phase I test results and
design analysis results will also be used as the foundation for Phase II tests
of a rocket engine and the burner section of a Martian jet engine.
Potential Commercial Applications:
Our commercialization of this technology will be used to develop a hybrid
rocket engine suitable for use by rocket amateurs and educational institutions
in the United States. This new rocket engine technology will fill the niche
of providing a safe, low cost rocket for this market. The fulfillment of this
goal will enable the creation of thousands of high school rocket clubs for
training future aerospace engineers and to make the general public more aware
of the excitement and benefits of rocketry to the United States.
The commercialization to the government sector will include NASA, NASDA and
potentially ESA to fulfill plans for the establishment of a Martian base. The
application of the technology will be in Martian jet engines, rocket engines
and turboshaft engines for powering electrical generators and land vehicles.
Name and Address of Offeror:
Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company
4010A South Poplar, Suite 23
Casper, WY 82601
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The SBIR/STTR EMS site is maintained by Steve
Hu, Hughes STX.
For comments and questions, contact
webmaster@sbir.hq.nasa.gov.
Updated: Feb. 7, 1996