Thrust with the minimum ejection of propellant by a levitating mass blocking the exhaust stream within the propellant producing structure. The reaction of accumulated propellant pressure between the levitating mass the hollow passageway and the propellant producing engine create thrust thus propelling the propellant producing engine and the vehicle in which it is mounted. Fuel consumption is decrease because a significant amount of propellant is not allowed to escape and is trapped in the vehicle's structure. The levitating mass is not physically attached to the propellant producing engine or the vehicle's structure. The rated pounds of thrust can be significantly increase and is determine by the strength of the magnetic field holding the levitating mass in place the composition of the hollow passageway the mechanical and structural components of the propellant producing engine.

A propulsion system for a spacecraft includes at least one electrical propulsion engine comprising at least one neutraliser; and a pressurant gas system comprising a pressurant gas which is fed directly into the at least one neutraliser.

A preceramic resin formulation comprising a polycarbosilane preceramic polymer, an organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer, and, optionally, at least one filler. The preceramic resin formulation is formulated to exhibit a viscosity of from about 1,000 cP at about 25° C. to about 5,000 cP at a temperature of about 25° C. The at least one filler comprises first particles having an average mean diameter of less than about 1.0 μm and second particles having an average mean diameter of from about 1.5 μm to about 5 μm. Impregnated fibers comprising the preceramic resin formulation are also disclosed, as is a composite material comprising a reaction product of the polycarbosilane preceramic polymer, organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer, and the at least one filler. Methods of forming a ceramic matrix composite are also disclosed.

A preceramic resin formulation comprising a polycarbosilane preceramic polymer, an organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer, and, optionally, at least one filler. The preceramic resin formulation is formulated to exhibit a viscosity of from about 1,000 cP at about 25° C. to about 5,000 cP at a temperature of about 25° C. The at least one filler comprises first particles having an average mean diameter of less than about 1.0 μm and second particles having an average mean diameter of from about 1.5 μm to about 5 μm. Impregnated fibers comprising the preceramic resin formulation are also disclosed, as is a composite material comprising a reaction product of the polycarbosilane preceramic polymer, organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer, and the at least one filler. Methods of forming a ceramic matrix composite are also disclosed.

A method for biopassivating an ordnance magazine containing explosive ordnance includes introducing microorganisms into the ordnance magazine and controlling the environmental conditions in the ordnance magazine to facilitate growth of the microorganisms. In this way, the ordnance magazine can be operated as a bioreactor to passivate the explosive ordnance inside.

A rocket engine has: a combustion chamber having a chamber inlet for receiving an oxidizer and a chamber outlet for expelling combustion gases in an environment outside the combustion chamber; a manifold having a manifold inlet fluidly connectable to a source of the oxidizer and a manifold outlet; a catalyst having a catalyst inlet fluidly connected to the manifold outlet and a catalyst outlet; and an injector plate having a injector inlet fluidly connected to the catalyst outlet and an injector outlet fluidly connected to the chamber inlet.

A rocket booster has an annular shape, with a casing defining an annular space therewithin, and a solid rocket fuel in the annular spacing. The casing may itself at least in part define an annular gap that functions as a nozzle for the rocket booster, with protruding tabs on the casing aiding in maintaining a uniform height of the annular gap. The rocket booster may be mechanically coupled to an object protruding from the back of a fuselage of a flight vehicle, such as a missile. For example, the rocket booster may be placed around an aft turbojet nozzle of the flight vehicle. This allows the rocket booster to be used in situations where primary propulsion must be running both before and after (and perhaps during) the firing of the rocket booster.

A rocket booster has an annular shape, with a casing defining an annular space therewithin, and a solid rocket fuel in the annular spacing. The casing may itself at least in part define an annular gap that functions as a nozzle for the rocket booster, with protruding tabs on the casing aiding in maintaining a uniform height of the annular gap. The rocket booster may be mechanically coupled to an object protruding from the back of a fuselage of a flight vehicle, such as a missile. For example, the rocket booster may be placed around an aft turbojet nozzle of the flight vehicle. This allows the rocket booster to be used in situations where primary propulsion must be running both before and after (and perhaps during) the firing of the rocket booster.

A solid rocket motor includes a propellant grain structure defining an axial bore and a vortex inducing feature.

A solid rocket motor includes a propellant grain structure defining an axial bore and a vortex inducing feature.