This study proposes the laser-ignited micromotor (LIMO), which is a new propulsion system for CubeSats to overcome the problems associated with conventional chemical propellants. The solid propellant pellets are stacked and stored in the micromotor. This concept makes it possible to design the total impulse of the micromotor in a flexible manner at a low cost and in a short time, depending on microsatellite missions. In addition, a laser-ignition system is integrated with the micromotor to address the problems of ignition delay and the difficulty in cutting the high-current feed lines of the ignition system. Firing tests are conducted in a vacuum chamber using four types of micromotors with different characteristics; that is, each type has a different number of solid propellant pellets and a different ignition system. Total impulses of 184 and 229    N s are achieved by the two types of LIMOs with 98 and 140 stored pellets, respectively, with a burning rate of 30.4    mm / s . Ignition delay is improved from 0.37 to 0.04 s by using the laser-ignition system. In addition, an engineering model of the LIMO is designed.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Laser-Ignited Micromotor Using Multiple Stacked Solid Propellant Pellets


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2019-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Note on laser-ignited boron

    MOHAN, G. / WILLIAMS, F. | AIAA | 1972


    Laser-ignited internal combustion engine

    Dale,J.D. / Smy,P.R. / Way-Nee,D. et al. | Automotive engineering | 1977


    Miniature Laser Ignited Bellows Motor

    Renfro, S. L. / United States / National Aeronautics and Space Administration et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994


    CROSS-FEEDING PROPELLANT BETWEEN STACKED SPACECRAFT

    BALDWIN JEFF AARON / NOLAND JONATHAN / TADROS ALFRED HEIKAL et al. | European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access

    Cross-feeding propellant between stacked spacecraft

    BALDWIN JEFF AARON / NOLAND JONATHAN / TADROS ALFRED HEIKAL et al. | European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access