PINTLE INJECTOR PROGRAM (PIP)

In 1991 TRW Space and Technology Group (TRW) and NASA Lewis Research Center

(NASA/LERC) entered into an agreement to establish a cooperative test program. Its

objective was to demonstrate the feasibility of operating a TRW Coaxial Pintle Injector

Rocket Engine using liquid oxygen (LOx) and liquid hydrogen (LHz) as propellants. The

purpose of this effort was to demonstrate technology that would significantly reduce the cost

of launching payloads into space. It was based on studies conducted by the participating

parties that also included the McDonnell Space Systems Company (MDSSC).

NASAILERC had been approached by TRW because of NASA's expertise in LOxILHz

rocket engine development and testing, and expertise in bombing of rocket engine

chambers to test for combustion stability (no pressure oscillations). The TRW Coaxial

Pintle Pressure - Fed Engine Concept had been tested on storable hypergolic propellants,

but not with the cryogenic propellants - LOx and LHz.Therefore it was necessary to test

and demonstrate that the Pintle Injector Concept would display good combustion stability

characteristics running on LOx and LHz for long burn durations typical of a booster. Other

test objectives were to obtain ignition and combustion performance, combustion stability,

heat transfer and combustion efficiency data.

The Pintle Injection Program was completed in 3 phases over a 4-year period. The first 2

phases were done with a 16K(thousand) thrust configuration using both LOx/LHz and

LOx/hydrocarbons as propellants. The third and final phase configuration was at a thrust

level of 40K with LOxlLHz propellants. All test and development work were very successful

and accomplished on schedule.

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