Since the 1940s, traditional solid rocket motors have been commonly designed to be non-restartable. However, as space becomes increasingly congested, it is increasingly important to explore propulsion technologies that allow increased flexibility over traditional approaches as we adapt to the rapidly evolving space environment.
Increased flexibility will enable spacecraft to more effectively engage in multi-phase missions, orbital maneuvers, and deep-space course corrections. Experts at The Aerospace Corporation are collaborating with the University of Southern California (USC) and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) to apply Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma Discharge (NPPD) to overcome the single-use limitation of traditional solid rocket motors.
The Science Behind NPPD’s Application to Propulsion
NPPD is a type of low-temperature plasma created by very short, high-voltage electrical pulses (typically less than 100 nanoseconds) that has demonstrated applications in combustion enhancement. Traditional chemical spacecraft thrusters rely on catalytic decomposition or combustion to generate thrust. Ongoing efforts are investigating whether NPPD can augment these conventional mechanisms. “This advancement will greatly increase the maneuverability and capabilities of our satellites to support our government and commercial partners,” said Alejandro L. Briseno, project lead and senior scientist in the Microelectronics Technology Department at Aerospace.
“By leveraging ionic liquid polymers, we have created a fuel-efficient system that taps into unprecedented potential impacting mission longevity, adaptability, and sustainability. The ionic liquid polymer combines the thermal stability of ionic liquids with the mechanical resilience of polymers, allowing the propellant to remain stable and electrochemically active across a broad temperature range,” said Briseno.
The Aerospace team—Briseno, Andrew Cortopassi, Armando Perezselsky, and Caleb Medchill—designed a proof-of-concept propulsion device incorporating NPPD technology. The device uses short plasma pulses that require minimal energy while enabling electronic control. Its fuel-versatile design allows customers to tailor propellants to specific mission requirements. By creating a thermally resilient, restartable solid-fuel propulsion system without the need for pressure vessels, the team is advancing capabilities for deep-space exploration.
Potential Mission Applications
The simple construction of the device reduces the technology’s overhead power, making it suitable for longer distance missions. Additionally, its compact form should allow it to integrate into a wide range of space platforms, from CubeSats to large spacecraft. If the design and technology advancements are successfully realized, the device could be used on multiple mission types.
This effort demonstrates a compelling new approach to propulsion, where electrically controlled plasma-assisted solid rocket motors show strong potential to enable more flexible, efficient, and adaptable space systems. Early results are encouraging and point toward a meaningful advance in how solid propulsion can be controlled and applied in future missions. The work is currently in the experimental phase in the laboratory environment.
