Application of an advanced micro-propulsion system to the delffi formation-flying demonstration within the qb50 mission
conference paper
The performance of several micro-propulsion systems is compared when applied to the specific needs of the DelFFi project, a formation flying technology demonstration expected to take place in the framework of the QB50 mission. The evaluated options include the T3μPS cold gas micro-propulsion system developed by TNO, Delft University of Technology and the University of Twente and a silicon-based MEMS resistojet design proposed by TU Delft. The analysis clearly shows that a resistojet technology, if combined with the cool gas generator units used in the T3μPS system, leads to significant advantages in terms of the total propulsion system mass and is still complaint to the stringent volume requirements of micro- And nano-satellites. These advantages are particularly evident for low values of the total velocity change required by the mission, as in the case of the DelFFi project.
Topics
TNO Identifier
478760
ISSN
0074-1795
ISBN
9781622769797
Source title
63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012, IAC 2012, Naples, Italy, 1-5 October 2012
Collation
8 p.
Pages
7753-7760
Files
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