SBIR-STTR Award

Ground-Based Characterization of High Altitude Plume Signature Phenomenology to Advance the Capabilities of SOCRATES-P
Award last edited on: 7/18/2018

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : MDA
Total Award Amount
$1,149,793
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
MDA16-004
Principal Investigator
David Oakes

Company Information

MixZon Inc

1033 SW Yamhill Street Suite 301
Portland, OR 97205
   (503) 222-1022
   info@mixzon.com
   www.mixzon.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 03
County: Multnomah

Phase I

Contract Number: HQ0147-17-C-7238
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase I year
2017
Phase I Amount
$149,819
Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to utilize a ground-based simulation facility based upon its patented FAST technology to obtain critical data necessary to validate and extend the capabilities of the MDAs high altitude plume code: SOCRATES-P. Far-field plume signatures arise from the hyperthermal interaction of rocket plume effluent with the atmosphere at altitudes greater than 100 km. In Phase I we propose to use a tunable, hypervelocity oxygen atom source (6-12 km/s) to measure the velocity dependent cross section of oxygen atoms reacting with one selected component of the thruster exhaust with products emitting in the primary sensor band: 2.0 5.0 micrometer. The data will be compared to computational chemistry results from Spectral Sciences Inc. Phase I will also design a pulsed supersonic source of vibrationally excited reactants. A Phase I option is proposed that will characterize emission from reaction products with 15 cm-1 spectral resolution to further test the computational chemistry methods that underlie the signature code. In Phase II the source of vibrationally excited reactants will be implemented onto the FAST facility. This new capability will be utilized to significantly advance the range of plume phenomenology that can be addressed with the simulation facility. Approved for Public Release | 16-MDA-8917 (15 November 16)

Phase II

Contract Number: HQ0147-18-C-7319
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
2018
Phase II Amount
$999,974
Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to utilize a ground-based simulation facility based upon its patented FAST technology to obtain critical data necessary to validate and extend the capabilities of the MDAs high altitude plume code, SOCRATES-P, to model plume signatures with high fidelity.In Phase I PSI demonstrated the model validation approach by measuring the velocity dependent cross section of a key plume-atmosphere reaction.The cross section results are being used in collaboration with computational chemistry results from Spectral Sciences Inc. (SSI) to critically assess corresponding values in the current SOCRATES-P database.For Phase II, PSI plans to implement Phase I designs of pulsed sources of vibrationally excited reactants to provide the new capability to simulate the hyperthermal interaction of the significant concentration of vibrationally excited species in propulsion system plumes with atmospheric O/N2.Product emission from up to six plume-atmosphere reactions selected with input from MDA will be characterized with 15 cm-1 spectral resolution and resulting velocity dependent cross sections will be used to assess and ultimately validate/update the SOCRATES-P database.The successful Phase II program will enhance the capabilities of a premier, state-of-the-art test facility that will remain available to MDA to validate future enhancements to SOCRATES-P.Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9522 (23 Feb 18)