Delivering a 28% increase in impulse density along with significant inherent safety advantages over conventional neat hydrazine, Aerojet Rocketdyne’s nonflammable, low-vapor-toxicity Hyperflex™ green hydrazine propellant blend promises to usher in a new paradigm in space propulsion. Hyperflex™ propellant is distinct from other proposed green alternatives in that it retains the high catalytic susceptibility and low flame temperature of neat hydrazine, thereby maintaining full compatibility with high-TRL heritage hydrazine thrusters. As such, these and other benefits offered by Hyperflex™ propellant are tear-term realizable, with first qualification in an Aerojet Rocketdyne MR‑103K 1‑N thruster scheduled for Summer 2025.
Robert K. Masse, Advanced Development | L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne
Dr. Robert Masse holds B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in aerospace engineering from UCLA and the University of Washington. In his twenty-four years at L3Harris-Aerojet Rockedyne, Dr. Masse has served as an analyst specializing in theoretical and numerical thruster and system modeling, program manager, and systems and project engineering specialist spanning a broad range of space, tactical, strategic, and national security-related programs. Notable among these is Pluto/New Horizons, for which Dr. Masse led the propulsion system development effort. As L3Harris-Aerojet Rockedyne’s lead specialist in advanced monopropellant technologies, Dr. Masse has contributed breakthrough advances in the science of ionic liquid thrusters, culminating with the inaugural flight of the AFRL’s ASCENT propellant on NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission in 2019. Dr. Masse is the inventor of Hyperflex™ propellant.