There is a growing interest in the use of micro and nanosatellites within the aerospace community. Constellations of small satellites may eventually replace much larger, single function spacecraft as a cheaper, more flexible alternative. Micro-technologies will be required to enable small satellite missions including efficient, low-cost propulsion systems for maneuvering. A MEMS fabricated propulsion system has been developed for maneuvers on an upcoming University nanosatellite mission. The Free Molecule Micro-Resistojet (FMMR) is an electrothermal propulsion system designed for on- orbit maneuvers of nanosatellites, which are defined as spacecraft with an initial mass less than 10 kg. The FMMR has been tested using a torsion force balance to assess its performance using a variety of propellants including helium, argon, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The experimental performance results compare favorably with results obtained from gas kinetic theory, which were used in the design phase to estimate the thruster's performance. The measured performance of the FMMR in this study has proven to be adequate to perform attitude control maneuvers for the University nanosatellite mission.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Performance Testing of a Microfabricated Propulsion System for Nanosatellite Applications (POSTPRINT)


    Contributors:
    A. D. Ketsdever (author) / R. H. Lee (author) / T. C. Lilly (author)

    Publication date :

    2005


    Size :

    11 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Future of Space Propulsion (Postprint)

    J. F. Remen / G. Liston | NTIS | 2007


    Nanosatellite Propulsion Development Program

    Gagosian, J. S. / Rhee, M. S. / Zakrzwski, C. M. | NTRS | 1999


    Laser Space Propulsion Overview (Postprint)

    C. Phipps / J. Luke / W. Helgeson | NTIS | 2006


    Free Molecule Micro-Resistojet: Nanosatellite Propulsion

    Lee, Riki / Lilly, Taylor / Muntz, E. et al. | AIAA | 2005


    Free Molecule Micro-Resistojet: Nanosatellite Propulsion

    R. H. Lee / T. C. Lilly / E. P. Muntz et al. | NTIS | 2005