Abstract The present work focuses on the determination of the in orbit performance of the Alsat-1 microsatellite propulsion system. The satellite mass is 90kg, of which 6.2kg is the propulsion system dry mass. The system is a butane propulsion system using low power resistojet thruster with 2.3kg of propellant. The liquefied butane gas was selected due to its higher storage density and safety compared to the other propellants used for microsatellites. The purpose of this paper is the analysis of the firings performed after the launch of the satellite and to evaluate the system specific impulse and thrust level during the system lifetime. A total of 273 firings were performed on the Alsat-1 propulsion system in the period between the end of 2002 and mid 2009, the cumulated firing time is more than 12h 49min. The analysis of all the propulsion telemetry data shows that the system provides a total mission delta V of 25.3m/s which is more than the 10m/s specified for this mission. Furthermore, the mission average specific impulse and thrust are respectively 99.9s and 48.8mN.


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    Title :

    In orbit performance of butane propulsion system


    Contributors:
    Amri, Redha (author) / Gibbon, D. (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 49 , 4 ; 648-654


    Publication date :

    2011-11-11


    Size :

    7 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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