PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The aim of this program was to develop a product which will be suitable for use with monopropellant thrusters with thrust levels of up to 200N (ex: Ariane 5 SCA thruster valves) and bipropellant thrusters up to 650N (ex: LEROS engine range).
Challenges
The following issues were identified at the outset of the program:
The initial design parameters that would be critical to the operation:
- Flexure fatigue
- Internal leakage
- Seal swell
An element test campaign was designed to address these items.
Some items are difficult to calculate so the first built hardware needed to check:
- Valve response
- MON flow tests over a range of temperatures
For the qualification phase 1 key parameter needed to be mastered:
- Cleanliness, generating a production process that would meet the spacecraft cleanliness requirements.
Plan
The project is complete and the Apogee Engine Valve, SVS06, is bench qualified.
Current Status
The project is complete and the Apogee Engine Valve, SVS06, is bench qualified.