Electric propulsion using resistojets operating at low power (~100 W) and using liquid propellants have re-emerged as attractive propulsion options for small satellites. Compared to low-power pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT), the resistojet achieves 50 times the increase in thrust (~1–50 mN), which is necessary to overcome drag at solar maximum for small satellites in high drag obits (~200 km). Two resistojet thrusters have been developed at the Surrey Space Centre (SSC), which utilize a packed bed of silicon carbide (SiC) particles for the heat exchanger. A thermodynamic model has been developed to study and optimize the thruster design and a series of practical performance tests with both nitrous oxide and water as propellants has been completed at the USAF Research Lab (Edwards AFB) using the NASAJPL inverted pendulum thrust stand. Endurance tests (~300 h duration) were conducted to determine possible lifetime limitations or failure modes. The results are very encouraging and resistojet thrusters are now proposed as options for future USAF and SSC minisatellite missions. This paper describes the complete resistojet system, test results for the USAF Mighty Sat II. I and its flight performance, its performance and integration on the UoSAT-12 minisatellite and its launch in April 1999 where this novel technique was demonstrated for the first time in low Earth orbit on 26 July 1999.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Low-cost orbit manoeuvres for minisatellites using novel resistojet thrusters


    Contributors:
    Sweeting, M N (author) / Lawrence, T (author) / Leduc, J (author)


    Publication date :

    1999-04-01


    Size :

    9 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Low-Cost Orbit Manoeuvres for Minisatellites using Novel Water Resistojet Thrusters

    Sweeting, M. N. / Lawrence, T. / Sellers, J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998



    Assessment of Micropropulsion System Unifying Water Ion Thrusters and Water Resistojet Thrusters

    Koizumi, Hiroyuki / Asakawa, Jun / Nakagawa, Yuichi et al. | AIAA | 2019


    Micromachined Cold Gas and Resistojet Thrusters for Space Propulsion

    Bayt, R. / Breuer, K. / Aerospace Corporation | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999


    Earth Observation using Low Cost Micro/Minisatellites

    Sweeting, M. / Fouquet, M. / International Academy of Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings