Pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT's) are a new option for attitude control of a small spacecraft and may result in reduced attitude control system (ACS) mass and cost. The primary purpose of an ACS is to orient the spacecraft configuration to the desired accuracy in inertial space. The ACS functions for which the PPT system will be analyzed include disturbance torque compensation and slewing maneuvers such as sun acquisition for which the small impulse bit and high specific impulse of the PPT offers unique advantages. The NASA Lewis Reserach Center (LeRC) currently has a contracted flight PPT system development program in place with Olin Aerospace and a delivery date of October 1997. The PPT system in this study are based upon the work being done under the NASA LeRC program. Analysis of the use of PPT's for ACS showed that the replacement of the standard momentum wheels and torque rods systems with a PTT system to perform the altitude control maneuvers on a small low Earth orbiting spacecraft reduced the ACS mass by 50 to 75 percent with no increase in required power level over comparable wheel-based systems.


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    Title :

    Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    1996-05-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control

    McGuire, M. / Myers, R. / Goddard Space Flight Center | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996


    Pulsed plasma thrusters for small spacecraft attitude control

    McGuire, Melissa L. / Myers, Roger M. | NTRS | 1996


    Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control

    M. L. Mcguire / R. M. Myers | NTIS | 1996


    Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control

    M. L. Mcguire / R. M. Myers | NTIS | 1996


    PULSED PLASMA THRUSTERS FOR SPACECRAFT ATTITUDE CONTROL

    Cassady, R. J. / Myers, R. M. / Osborne, R. D. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996