A model for the operation of nitrous oxide monopropellant

A model for the simulation of nitrous oxide (N2O) monopropellant thruster operation is presented. In the thruster a catalyst is employed for N2O decomposition. The N2O monopropellant operation has been simulated during a firing cycle including start-up, steady-state, and shutdown modes. A satisfactory match between experimental data and computational results is achieved during model validation which advocates that the assumptions made in the model are valid for representation of the processes and phenomena happening inside N2O monopropellant thruster during operation. The model is recommended for practical design problem solution. Further development of the existing model is expected to improve the accuracy of thruster performance prediction during transient operation regimes.