The burning of the Martian atmosphere with a new in situ fuel is an innovative power source for rocket and jet engines on Mars. This new source of power can also be used to drive turboshaft engines for power generation and providing land vehicle locomotion. This concept is innovative and unique because it uses the Martian atmosphere in its natural form in the combustion process. Because of this, it is possible to make Martian "air breathing" engines for power and transportation. This innovation is relevant to the subtopic since it utilizes extraterrestrial resources on Mars to reduce the amount of mass required to be sent from earth to Mars. It is significant, because new engine concepts become possible that are not feasible with current Martian in situ propellant concepts. Phase I will identify the best method of mixing the fuel with carbon dioxide through a series of combustion tests. The Phase I test results and design analysis results will also be used as the foundation for Phase II tests of a rocket engine and the burner section of a Martian jet engine.
Potential Commercial Applications: Our commercialization of this technology will be used to develop a hybrid rocket engine suitable for use by rocket amateurs and educational institutions in the United States. This new rocket engine technology will fill the niche of providing a safe, low cost rocket for this market. The fulfillment of this goal will enable the creation of thousands of high school rocket clubs for training future aerospace engineers and to make the general public more aware of the excitement and benefits of rocketry to the United States. The commercialization to the government sector will include NASA, NASDA and potentially ESA to fulfill plans for the establishment of a Martian base. The application of the technology will be in Martian jet engines, rocket engines and turboshaft engines for powering electrical generators and land vehicles.
