Hydrazine is a very reactive material that can decompose with incredible speed and energy under a number of conditions. Its decomposition yields exhaust products at high temperatures with low molecular weight-an ideal combination for rocket propulsion and gas generation. This decomposition is highly reliable and reproducible to within milliseconds.
Calca Solutions Hydrazine Propellants
Calca Solutions’s Ultra Pure™, Monomethyl Hydrazine (MMH), Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine (UDMH), and Anhydrous Hydrazine (AH) products are utilized in both mono-and bipropellant systems. Leading aerospace organizations such as NASA, the U.S. Space Force, Defense Logistics Agency, Aerojet use high-quality Calca Solutions hydrazine propellants.
Hydrazine Propellants: Monopropellant Systems
In monopropellant systems, controlled decomposition is triggered by contact with a catalyst. Literally hundreds of satellites and space probes rely on hydrazine fueled thrusters for altitude control or orbit maintenance. Such precision maneuvers require as little as a tenth of a pound of thrust, hundreds of times, over an operating lifetime of 10 to 15 years.
Monopropellant systems are also used on short-term missions. They provide altitude and roll control of boosters.
Hydrazine Propellants: Bipropellant Systems
In bipropellant systems, liquid hydrazine and an oxidizer are injected simultaneously to initiate a hypergolic reaction. Such systems helped power expendable launch vehicles such as Titans, Delta and Ariane 4, as well as the Space Shuttle orbital maneuvering system. It is currently used in many large satellites. Bipropellant engines can generate up to a million pounds of thrust without reliance on external ignition systems.
Ultra Pure™ Hydrazine
The major use of Ultra Pure™ hydrazine is a rocket propellant in monopropellant thrusters and gas generators. Most satellites in earth orbit and most space probes use hydrazine for attitude control and orbit maintenance. Other applications include the electronics and pharmaceuticals industries.
Monomethyl Hydrazine (MMH)
The major use of monomethyl hydrazine is in the aerospace industry. It is used as a propellant and for spacecraft orbital control thrusters. Monomethyl hydrazine may also be used in chemical synthesis where both an N-N bond and a methyl group are desired. Many patents have been issued covering applications of monomethyl hydrazine in petroleum refining, explosives, metal treating, photography, fibers, coatings and resins.
