Design Features and Research of Electrothermal Microthrusters with Autonomous Heating Elements for the Purposes of Small Space Vehicle Orbital Manoeuvring

Abstract

The paper studies the definition of design-basis appearance of Electrothermal Microthrusters (ETMT) with Autonomous Heating Elements (AHE) for Correcting propulsion System (CPS) of manoeuvrable Small Space Vehicles (SSV). The findings of present study are of particular practical interest in connection with creation of CPS for manoeuvrable SSV of ultra-low mass (under 10 kg). In the framework of the taken approach, multipurpose method of structural design has defined design parameters and design appearance of ETMT. Different characteristics of ETMT are provided due to replaceable conical and bell nozzle linings’ usage without change of ETMT basic design. Design maps of ETMT with AHE have been developed, aimed to specific performances’ upgrade of CPS in conditions of low power consumption. The results of undertaken land experimental study are quoted, including conditions of vacuum-chamber using nitrogen and air as working medium of CPS. Basing on the undertaken experimental study the possibility in principle of the usage of ETMT with AHE as part of CPS for space vehicles of gross mass under 10 kg is shown. Moreover, design map, implementation approach and further upgrade of ETMT with AHE are defined, among which it is possible to emphasize the design map of ETMT integrated with evaporator, providing the increase of specific burst of power up to 30-35 % within allocated power consumption as part of SSV