A class of miniaturized pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT), known as MicroPPTs, is currently in development at the Air Force Research Laboratory. The MicroPPTs use a surface discharge across solid Teflon(TM) propellant to provide precise impulse bits in the 10 microN-s range. In the near term, these thrusters can provide propulsive attitude control on 150-kg-class spacecraft using 1/5th the dry mass of conventional torque rods and reaction wheels. Eventually these thrusters are designed for primary and attitude control propulsion on future 25- kg class spacecraft envisioned for such missions as formation flying sparse aperture arrays for space-based surveillance, on-orbit satellite servicing, and space control. A synopsis of the status of the thruster is presented, discussing development, lifetime, performance, and environmental testing.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff über TIB

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion

    G. G. Spanjers / D. R. Bromaghim / J. Lake et al. | NTIS | 2002


    Plasma Diagnostic Development for the AFRL MicroPPT Program

    Spanjers, Gregory / Bromaghim, Daron / Dulligan, Michael et al. | AIAA | 2002


    AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion

    Spanjers, G. G. / Bromaghim, D. R. / Lake, J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2002


    AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion

    Spanjers, Gregory / Bromaghim, Daron / Lake, James et al. | AIAA | 2002


    AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Satellite Propulsion

    White, David / Bushman, Stewart / Schilling, John et al. | AIAA | 2002