Northrop Grumman: “Fly smart with gel propulsion”

[DDE]

http://archive.md/8S7rs

Now, would you put carbon into your UDMH?

[Guest]

Gelled propellants are not new. What's new is them actually working well. Back in the day (the 50s, that is), they were seen as better for shipboard use, because a gelled propellant leaks more slowly and thus is a bit less of a fire hazard. They ended up going with solids, though.

[55delta]

4 hours ago, DDE said:

Now, would you put carbon into your UDMH?

Considering how deadly UDMH already is...I can't see carbon making it worse. You'd still want all the protective gear possible to handle it and any exhaust fumes. Was the purpose to increase fuel density, or just storability? 

[DDE]

1 hour ago, 55delta said:

Considering how deadly UDMH already is...I can't see carbon making it worse. You'd still want all the protective gear possible to handle it and any exhaust fumes. Was the purpose to increase fuel density, or just storability? 

Density, and a boost in energy as well.

Also, an engine used in the R-29 upgrade program is found in Makeyev’s internal museum. It’s still caked in the hydrazine-aluminum slurry. Which a full generation of visitors has been poking with unprotected fingers 

Edited August 14, 2019 by DDE

[kerbiloid]

1 hour ago, DDE said:

Also, an engine used in the R-29 upgrade program is found in Makeyev’s internal museum. It’s still caked in the hydrazine-aluminum slurry. Which a full generation of visitors has been poking with unprotected fingers 

At least, there is no frost in the room, otherwise they would also try to lick it.

Edited August 14, 2019 by kerbiloid

[55delta]

So, anyone know any pressure-fed engines where the boost would be/have been useful?

[DDE]

2 hours ago, 55delta said:

So, anyone know any pressure-fed engines where the boost would be/have been useful?

The hole design was used in a TOW-sized antitank missile in 2002. There had been a separate project with a thrust-vectoring ejection seat motor.