GCSP research stipend | Fall 2018

Improving Liquid Propulsion Testing Reliability and Safety

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For students, liquid propulsion research is often inaccessible due to the logistical and safety challenges it poses. The development of a spark-initiated torch ignitor for use in propulsion testing mitigates these concerns by providing researchers with a fail-safe in the case of system failure. In addition, the ignitor provides increased testing reliability with a high-power, automated start sequence. In the future, this ignitor will be integrated in liquid propulsion engines to aid in testing and operation.

Student researcher

James Hansen

James Hansen

Aerospace engineering

Hometown: Glendale, Arizona

Graduation date: Spring 2021