Transformational Technology Continues to Mature
The applications for controllable solid propulsion systems are expanding as Valley Tech Systems, Inc. continues to mature this transformational technology.
Our innovative throttling, extinguishment and reignition technologies regulate solid propellant use to deliver precise, long-duration thrust to orient, position and steer a missile or space launch payload. With this new level of performance comes the trusted safety, reliability and affordability for which solid propulsion is known. As a result, a wider range of missile and space launch systems now have a viable option to toxic and costly liquid bi-propellant systems.
Valley Tech Systems, Inc. continues to develop and demonstrate its controllable solid propulsion technology for an increasing range of missile and space launch applications. (Illustration: Valley Tech Systems, Inc.)
Applications for controllable solid propulsion include: missile defense interceptors and kill vehicles; strategic, tactical and hypersonic missiles, as well as maneuvering reentry systems; and, commercial and military space launch systems and payloads.
Valley Tech Systems has developed and demonstrated the technologies for specific applications through a series of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts awarded by branches of the Department of Defense and NASA. The company’s recent contracts have included development of a reaction control system, an extinguishable divert and attitude control system, a solid axial stage and a hot-gas valve.
“Our technology meets the growing demand for long-duration solid propulsion systems,” said Russ Carlson, vice president, Aerospace Division, Valley Tech Systems, Inc. “With our controllable solid propulsion technology, safer and lower-cost solutions can replace older toxic liquid-propulsion and cold-gas technologies.”
The company’s controllable solid propulsion technology includes the following.
- Proprietary architectures, including our Attitude Control System architecture (U.S. Patent 9,927,217), that use algorithms to regulate the ignition, extinguishment and throttling of solid propellant, as well as thermal management, operating state and actuation methods.
- Proportional thrusters that provide on-demand impulse, with selectable thrust magnitude and vector capability at high frequency response rates.
- State-of-the-art extinguishment and reignition technology that increases operation to hundreds of seconds by repeatedly turning the propulsion off and back on as needed to prevent wasting solid propellant.
- Components, such as hot-gas valves, gas accumulators and high-temperature, high-pressure valves, and materials, such as advanced high-temperature refractory metals, reusable high-temperature insulation material and a DoD-qualified solid propellant.