HREP

Main Goals of the Project

HREP project aims to develop hybrid and green propulsion technologies for future space and suborbital applications, strengthening national capabilities in innovative propulsion. The project includes system-level studies on paraffin-based hybrid rocket engines and hydrogen peroxide-based (H₂O₂) green propulsion, as well as the design, manufacturing and testing of several test articles covering different thrust classes (from 100 N to 20 kN). It also includes the upgrade of the CIRA H-IMP test facility to enable dedicated experimental campaigns with hydrogen peroxide. The objectives involve performance assessment through firing tests, investigation of key physical and combustion phenomena, evaluation of applicability to next generation launch systems and the development of advanced numerical models for reactive flow simulations in hybrid rocket engines.

CIRA Activities in the Project

CIRA leads all the technical and scientific activities in the program, covering system studies, design, manufacturing and experimental testing of paraffin-based hybrid rocket engines of different thrust classes, as well as the development of green propulsion units using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and dedicated catalyst beds. Some titanium-alloy components will be produced through additive manufacturing. CIRA also manages the upgrade of the H-IMP test facility to introduce an hydrogen peroxide line. In parallel, advanced numerical modeling of combustion processes is performed and validated with test data. The activities include mechanical design, numerical analyses, structural verification, additive manufacturing, hardware integration, test-campaign management and overall technical supervision. The Space Propulsion Unit is currently involved in testing the SubScale Advanced 1kN engine demonstrator equipped with a GOx/GCH₄ torch igniter.

General Project Information

Funding Programme: National Aerospace Research Program (PRO.R.A.) 

Start Date: 01/09/2021; End Date: 01/09/2031

Coordinating Organization: CIRA

Partners: University of Naples “Federico II”, CRAS / University of Rome “Sapienza”, Politecnico di Milano

CIRA Contact: Francesco Battista, f.battista@cira.it