We present the most recent propulsion requirements for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission and describe potential microth ruster technology that can meet these requirements. LISA consists of three spacecraft in heliocentric orbits, forming a triangle with 5x l 0 (exp 6) km sides that are the arms of three Michelson-type interferometers. Reflective proof masses provide the reference surfaces at the end of the interferometer arms as part of the Gravitational Referenc e Sensor (GRS) designed to detect gravitational waves. The microthrus t propulsion system will be part of the Disturbance Reduction System (DRS), which is responsible for maintaining each spacecraft position w ithin approximately 10 nm around the proof masses. To provide the nec essary sensitivity, the GRS must not experience spurious acceleration s >15 (exp -10) m/ s(exp 2) in the 0.1 mHz to 1 Hz bandwidth, requiring precision formation flying and drag-free operation of the LISA spa cecraft. This leads to the following microthruster performance requir ements: a thrust range of 2-30 Micro N, a thrust resolution < 0.1 Mic ro N, and thrust noise <0.1 Hz(exp -1/2) over the LISA measurement bandwidth. The microthruster must provide this performance for 5 years c ontinuously, contain 10 years worth of propellant, and not disrupt th e science measurements. Potential microthruster technologies include Colloid, Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP), and precision cold gas microthrusters. Each of these technologies is described in detai l with focus on the NASA microthruster development of the Busek Collo id Micro-Newton Thruster (CMNT).


    Zugriff

    Zugriff über TIB

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    Microthrust Propulsion of the LISA Mission


    Beteiligte:

    Kongress:

    40th AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference ; 2004 ; Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2004-07-12


    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Konferenz)


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch




    Microthrust Propulsion for the LISA Mission

    Ziemer, John / Merkowitz, S. | AIAA | 2004


    Electrothermal microthrust systems

    WHITE, A. | AIAA | 1967


    Measurement of the Microthrust of the Field Emission Electric Propulsion Unit

    Stedman, M. / Franks, A. / Luty, M. et al. | British Library Online Contents | 1997


    Propulsion Options for the LISA Mission

    Cardiff, Eric / Marr, G. | AIAA | 2004


    Propulsion Options for the LISA Mission

    E. H. Cardiff / G. C. Marr | NTIS | 2004