Polyoxymethylene as structural support member and propellant

Abstract

A vehicle includes at least one polyoxymethylene structural support member. The polyoxymethylene structural support member includes a polyoxymethylene component that is a propellant that provides thrust to the vehicle upon pyrolysis or combustion of the polyoxymethylene component of the product of pyrolysis of the polyoxymethylene component. The vehicle can be a satellite or other type of spacecraft.

1 . A material comprising polyoxymethylene and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an oxidant, a structural reinforcement, and an energetic additive. 
     
     
         2 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the material defines at least one channel for conducting oxidant or propellant through the material. 
     
     
         3 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidant is a solid. 
     
     
         4 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the energetic additive includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, 1-acetyl-3,5-dinitrocyclotrimethylenetriamine, cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine, 1-acetyl-3,5,7-trinitrocyclotetramethylenetetramine, nitroglycerin, nitroguanidine, and nitrocellulose. 
     
     
         5 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the additional structural reinforcement includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metallic facesheet, a metallic tube, a metallic mesh, a metallic cloth, carbon fiber, carbon cloth, carbon nanotubes, a ceramic, boron fibers and boron cloth.