Abstract: A catalytic gas generator for an electrothermal thruster comprises a catalyst chamber, a capillary propellant tube communicating to the chamber and a tubular thermal standoff connecting the tube to the chamber wherein the tube is connected at a location spaced from the tube inlet into the catalyst chamber.

Abstract: A monolithic catalyst bed for use in a catalytic gas generator includes catalytically-active metal screens having central openings and being composed of fine particles of catalyst supported by wires arranged in grid-like fashion. The bed also includes an injector tube having an end portion disposed through the central openings of the metal screens for mounting the metal screens in closely spaced side-by-side, stack-like relation extending outwardly from and radially about the tube end portion. The injector tube end portion is closed at its outer end and defines a passage for receiving an axial inflow of liquid propellant. The bed also includes an injector body supporting the injector tube and disposed at one end of the stack of metal screens, and a base plate mounted about the injector tube end portion adjacent to the closed outer end thereof and disposed at an opposite end of the stack of metal screens so as to define an annular space therebetween and about the injector tube end portion.