Development of micro propulsion system technologies for mini-satellites in the Netherlands
conference paper
Micro and nano satellites have the potential of significantly reducing the cost of access to space. For missions that require a satellite propulsion system, the existing propulsion systems are too large and heavy. To address this problem, TNO, TU Delft and UTwente are exploring enabling technologies for compact storage of propellants and small, highly integrated feeding and thruster systems. This research is performed as part of the Dutch national research program MicroNed.
The research on micro propulsion system technologies so far has led to a, in several ways, unique design of a cold gas micro propulsion system: the T311PS (the TNO, TU Delft, UTwente Micro Propulsion System). The system essentially is a blow down system. A cool gas generator is used to store the propellant in solid form, thereby reducing the volume of the propellant storage subsystem as well as the storage pressure. A plenum chamber connects one or more cool gas generator(s) to the integrated feeding and thruster system. The design of the integrated feeding and thruster system makes extensively use of Micro Systems Technologies and consists of a nozzle, valve, filter and a pressure transducer. In this paper we address the initial development of the T3μPS. The good progress so far will enable us to space qualify our propulsion system on board of a CubeSat within the next two years
The research on micro propulsion system technologies so far has led to a, in several ways, unique design of a cold gas micro propulsion system: the T311PS (the TNO, TU Delft, UTwente Micro Propulsion System). The system essentially is a blow down system. A cool gas generator is used to store the propellant in solid form, thereby reducing the volume of the propellant storage subsystem as well as the storage pressure. A plenum chamber connects one or more cool gas generator(s) to the integrated feeding and thruster system. The design of the integrated feeding and thruster system makes extensively use of Micro Systems Technologies and consists of a nozzle, valve, filter and a pressure transducer. In this paper we address the initial development of the T3μPS. The good progress so far will enable us to space qualify our propulsion system on board of a CubeSat within the next two years
TNO Identifier
183382
Source title
Space Propulsion 2008. 5th International Spacecraft Propulsion Conference and 2nd International Symposium on Propulsion for Space Transportation, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 5-8 May 2008
Pages
S44-012, 10 p.
Files
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