CEAS Space Journal · 2016 · 32 citations · 10 references
EngineeringMechanical EngineeringNew GenerationMicroactuatorGreen Micro-resistojet ResearchSpace VehiclesDelft UniversityCubesatsMicroscale SystemMicrofluidicsSpace MissionsChemical PropulsionCubesat PropulsionMechatronicsCold Gas PropulsionPropulsionAerospace Propulsion SystemsHeat TransferMicroelectronicsLiquid WaterPropulsion SystemAerospace EngineeringMicrofabricationApplied PhysicsIn-space Propulsion SystemsAerospace PropulsionSpace TechnologyThermal EngineeringSpace Engineering
The aerospace industry is increasingly pursuing green, safe, non‑toxic propellants for next‑generation space vehicles, particularly for Cubesat micro‑propulsion, where propulsion enables orbital maintenance, transfer, formation flying, and attitude control. The paper’s purpose is to develop two water‑propelled micro‑thrusters at Delft University of Technology that satisfy Cubesat propulsion needs. The authors employ MEMS technology to build a free‑molecular micro‑resistojet using sublimating solid water at pressures below 600 Pa and a conventional micro‑resistojet that heats and vaporizes liquid water in a custom silicon heating chamber. Numerical simulations optimized the heating and expansion slots, detailed the manufacturing steps for the conventional micro‑resistojet, and outlined future research on thrust intensity and direction control.
The aerospace industry is recently expressing a growing interest in green, safe and non-toxic propellants for the propulsion systems of the new generation of space vehicles, which is especially true in the case of Cubesat micro-propulsion systems. Demanding requirements are associated to the future missions and challenges offered by this class of spacecraft, where the availability of a propulsion system might open new possibilities for a wide range of applications including orbital maintenance and transfer, formation flying and attitude control. To accomplish these requirements, Delft University of Technology is currently developing two different concepts of water-propelled micro-thrusters based on MEMS technologies: a free molecular micro-resistojet operating with sublimating solid water (ice) at low plenum gas pressure of less than 600 Pa, and a more conventional micro-resistojet operating with liquid water heated and vaporized by means of a custom designed silicon heating chamber. In this status review paper, the current design and future expected developments of the two micro-propulsion concepts is presented and discussed, together with an initial analysis of the expected performance and potential operational issues. Results of numerical simulations conducted to optimize the design of the heating and expansion slots, as well as a detailed description of the manufacturing steps for the conventional micro-resistojet concept, are presented. Some intended steps for future research activities, including options for thrust intensity and direction control, are briefly introduced.
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30th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites
Lucy Berthoud, Mark Schenk · 2016 · 385 citations