A Model for Ammonia Solar Thermal Thruster

Abstract

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Phase-Change Thermal Energy Storage and Conversion: Development and Analysis for Solar Thermal Propulsion

“…Boron is identified as the ideal far-term storage material due to an extremely high heat of fusion and a melting temperature close to the optimal performance point for an ammonia based STP rocket. 5 It must be noted, however, that limited research has gone into handling boron in the molten state. Therefore, silicon, is also targeted as a near term storage option, providing storage capacities on par with sensible heat systems and a storage temperature that will provide moderate thrust and specific impulse.…”