Mueller, Ziemer, Hofer, Wirz, O’Donnell 8
Survey of Micro-Thrust Propulsion Options
Cube Sat - 5’th Annual Developers Workshop 2008
Description:
Status:Application:
VACCO ChEMS
™
Thruster Module
VACCO/JPL Butane Micro-Thruster
•
Solenoid-based microthruster development by VACCO in
collaboration with Aerospace Corp. for MEPSI for
AFRL/DARPA.
•
Piezoelectric valve based microthruster development by
VACCO in collaboration with JPL for Micro-Inspector
developed under NASA ESMD.
•
Piezoelectric valve version is ultra-low power (100 mW
avg., 4 W peak) for low-power microsat applications.
•
Using butane propellant, stored in its liquid phase,
expanded as gas. Combines cold gas thruster simplicity
with liquid propellant storage.
•
Piezovalve Thruster Performance Characteristics:
TRL5. Breadboard models exist.>5 kg S/C attitude control
•
The solenoid based MEPSI module for AFRL/DARPA
has been assembled and is still awaiting Get-Away
Special flight on shuttle after Columbia accident.
•
The piezovalve based thruster has undergone testing
in relevant environment (vacuum) on JPL micro-
Newton thrust stand and performances verified under
the JPL Micro-Inspector project for NASA ESMD .
•
Use of two VACCO piezovalve-actuated butane
thrusters was studied by “Kathy Sat”. Thrusters are
available for this or other Cube Sat missions.
•
Application for attitude control on microspacecraft,
such as Cube Sats.
•
Piezovalve
version is ideally suited for
microspacecraft attitude control due to very low
power consumption in addition to appropriate other
performance parameters (thrust).
•
The MEPSI module is a self-contained, Cube Sat
based propulsion module including fuel for easy bolt-
on integration.
Supplier Designation Thrust (mN) Mass (g) Isp (sec) Power (W)
Vacco
Butane Micro
Thruster
10-25 30 70
1 (open, depend.
on ramp rate) ,
10 uW (Hold)
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