Small cryogenic propulsion unit for upper stage application

The feasibility study was conducted to use the cryogenic propulsion system for the third stage of the future H-1 vehicle. While the $\text{LO}{}_2\text{LH}{}_2$ third-stage mass fraction is less than the current solid propellant third stage, the 50% higher Isp results in a significantly higher payload. Two basic configurations of the new propulsion system were proposed: one pressure-fed system and two pump-fed systems. The first is a pressure-fed system providing a 700 kg thrust at an Isp of 441 sec with restart capability. The second is a pump-fed system, operating on an expander cycle principle. A midget turbopump with a 90 000 rpm shaft speed feeds the thrust chamber which delivers 1 ton of thrust at an Isp of 471 sec. The third proposed system is also a pump-fed design using a unique expander bleed cycle, and delivers a 1 ton thrust at an Isp of 470 sec with a turbopump speed of 80 000 rpm. The results of engine testing predict the performance feasibility of respective propulsion system designs.