## Supply Chain Quality Issues The primary HTP supplier exhibited quality control problems with wild variance in purity and concentration (85-92% H2O2). After over a year of consistent product, quality degraded significantly. Some batches were acceptable, others barely usable. Performance variations could no longer be attributed to thruster design—the propellant itself became the variable. ## Supplier Constraints HTP is a specialty chemical with few suppliers and high cost. Switching suppliers would incur significant expense and delay. The supplier claimed manufacturing processes were unchanged, but quality variance suggested altered raw materials or purification procedures. Continuing with unreliable propellant was not viable. ## In-House Production Solution The decision was made to build a small vacuum distillation facility to concentrate HTP to required purity and concentration. This approach would provide quality control, reduce propellant costs, and break dependence on unreliable external suppliers. Vacuum distillation is well-established: HTP has a lower boiling point than water, so under vacuum, HTP evaporates preferentially and can be condensed to high-purity product. ## Implementation Design work began on a small-scale facility capable of producing several liters per week of high-purity HTP. The capital cost was significant but would be offset by reduced propellant costs and dramatically improved testing reliability. In-house HTP production was a strategic investment for developing a reliable thruster system.