Description: Astrobotic will design, manufacture, and test a series of flight-like rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) injectors using its patent-pending PermiAM technology. In addition to the further development and test of these injectors, Astrobotic will also design an annular RDRE chamber that will be compatible with the injectors.

Benefits: Injectors manufactured using PermiAM provide numerous benefits to NASA, including PermiAM's ability to evenly inject propellants across the detonation wave path, which helps to maintain the stability of the detonation wave in an RDRE. These injectors and compatible thrust chambers may be able to improve Isp by as much as 15%. Such RDREs could be used on spacecraft or launch vehicles for NASA missions and may be useful for developing new space and aviation propulsion systems.

Customers for the injectors proposed for this effort include commercial companies working to develop functional RDREs or seeking to improve the efficiency of their propulsion systems. The injectors, as part of a functional RDRE, could be sold as an efficient commercial propulsion system to private spacecraft and launch providers. RDRE technology is also a key research area for the Air Force.