This design document describes the current status of the Cathode/Anode Satellite Thruster for Orbital Repositioning (CASTOR), which is at the Critical Design Level. The mission of CASTOR is to validate the performance and application of Diverging Cusped Field Thruster (DCFT) technology. The mission will be achieved by taking on-orbit state data to compare the degradation experienced by the DCFT to that of similar technologies. Specifically, the mission objects, with corresponding minimum success criteria are shown below: *Operate the DCFT on orbit for 1500 hours, which is comparable to similar technologies *Minimum Success: Demonstrate that the DCFT will operate on-orbit *Measure the on-orbit performance, efficiency, and degradation of the DCFT during orbital maneuvers *Minimum Success: Use the DCFT to provide a measurable change in velocity.
MIT Orbital Transfer Vehicle (MOTV): CASTOR Satellite: Design Document
2010
308 pages
Report
No indication
English
Unmanned Spacecraft , Artificial satellites , Miniaturization , Systems engineering , Attitude control systems , Avionics , Cathodes , Communication and radio systems , Electric propulsion , Ground support equipment , Magnetometers , Modems , Payload , Power , Solar energy , Solar panels , Space navigation , Space propulsion , Structures , Thrusters , Adcs(Attitude determination and control system) , Castor(Cathode anode satellite thruster for orbital repositioning) , Dcft(Diverging cusped field thruster) , Nanosatellites