Propulsion System Design for a Reusable Lunar Drone Spacecraft

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This project develops a high performance, pressure fed LOX/LCH₄ engine for a reusable MoonFall drone delivered as a payload on a CLPS lander.

It addresses a critical technology gap: no non toxic, ISRU compatible engines exist for reusable surface mobility.

We will hot fire the existing 100-lbf HiOCTANE engine to validate existing models, then produce the scaled 400 lbf hopper-class design using validated thermal/pressure/ignition predictions.

The effort leverages heritage engine development investments, AM manufacturing experience, JSC’s low cost test stand Frost-Mint, and previous CIF investment into igniter technology for deep freeze engine starts relevant to Phase 2–3 Moonbase mobility.