Mueller, Ziemer, Hofer, Wirz, O’Donnell 19
Survey of Micro-Thrust Propulsion Options
Cube Sat - 5’th Annual Developers Workshop 2008
Conclusions
•
Some existing, and some newer thruster developments may be “borderline”
applicable to Cube Sat design envelopes.
•
Besides thruster performances and component size and mass, integration
issues have to be considered:
•
Need for improved subsystems, high pressure tanks
•
Power issues
•
Some
newer developments offer exciting applications:
•
VACCO developed Butane thrusters combine low power piezovalve
technology
and low-pressure compact propellant storage for efficient attitude control and low
delta-v in a simple system.
•
JPL developed Miniature xenon ion engine technology (MiXI) offers potential of
exciting new CubeSat
missions requiring high-delta-V for large (multiple cube) Cube
Sat busses using deployable arrays.
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