Description: Rocket propulsion system development is enabled by rigorous ground testing to mitigate the propulsion system risks inherent in spaceflight. Helium is used in piping and engine purge processes to inert liquid hydrogen systems. The cost of helium is increasing as the supply diminishes, impacting testing of the rocket engines for space propulsion systems. There is an outstanding need within NASA propulsion test facilities for intelligent real time sensors that can measure hydrogen concentrations in a helium background during purging/testing to better understand the process and reduce helium use. In line with current NASA-SSC and Rocket Propulsion Test (RPT) Program Office goals, such a monitoring technology should be intelligent to enable the reduction in time and cost of propulsion systems development. The long-term objective of the proposed effort is to leverage Sporians prior work on smart, machine learning enabled, Raman spectroscopy-based sensing systems to realize the required intelligent H/He fluid composition monitor. Phase I focused working with stakeholders to define requirements; evaluating revised hardware designs; and proof-of-principle demonstration of technology feasibility. Phase II effort will include: 1) working with NASA and industry stakeholders to foster transition; 2) evaluating revised hardware/electronics architectures and designs; and 3) several rounds of full system prototyping and testing/demonstration to satisfy NASAs technical readiness level expectations. If successful, Sporian will be well positioned for the post-Phase II transition efforts with NASA and industry stakeholders. Work will be done through a collaboration between Sporian and the University of Central Florida (UCF). This concept was developed under a NASA-funded Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Small Business Technology Transfer Research Planning Grants (M-STTR) award.

Benefits: The proposed technology directly addresses a need identified by NASA-SSC for an intelligent sensor that can measure/monitor hydrogen concentrations in helium during the engine purging and testing processes. The technology is relevant to liquid propulsion systems development and verification testing in support of the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate and Space Operations Mission Directorate. It benefits test programs at SSC as well as other propulsion system development centers under the Rocket Propulsion Test Program Office.