Abstract Delft University of Technology is currently developing the pico-satellite platform Delfi-PQ, based on the PocketQube standard, in pursuit of a new generation of satellites with lower cost, flexibility and short development time. A technology demonstration payload expected to fly in one of the first Delfi-PQ satellites is a dual thruster micro-propulsion system based on the use of water as propellant. Two different micro-resistojet concepts will be demonstrated in the same satellite flight: one based on vaporization, heating and expansion in a nozzle of pressurized liquid water (Vaporizing Liquid Micro-resistojet); the other based on heating and acceleration in slots with simple geometry of molecules of vapour under transitional or free molecular flow regime (Low Pressure Micro-resistojet). The demonstrator is based on a common propellant storage for the two micro-propulsion concepts, based on the use of the capillarity properties of water in a small diameter tube connected to the two separate MEMS thruster chips with their own dedicated valves. This paper describes the requirements and design of the complete micro-propulsion demonstrator as well as its expected operational envelope for in-orbit functional testing, based on the currently validated performance characteristics of the two thrusters.
Highlights MEMS micro-propulsion is a promising way to enhance pico-satellites capabilities. Two Micro-resistojet propulsion methods are presented. Dual thruster demonstrator based on the use of water as propellant. Design and in-orbit demonstration including firing modes and phases are presented.
In-orbit micro-propulsion demonstrator for PICO-satellite applications
Acta Astronautica ; 165 ; 414-423
2019-09-05
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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