Abstract
Recent advances in the development of several micropropulsion components for microspacecraft applications are reported. These include a vaporizing liquid micro-thruster, a micro ion engine, a micro-isolation valve, a micro-piezo valve, and a micro-solenoid valve. These components are envisioned to be integrated with chip-based driver and power conditioning electronics into highly integrated, compactly configured micropropulsion modules, reducing overall system weight and size as well as cost and complexity of propulsion system integration. Proof-of-concept demonstration for several of the concepts was recently obtained. A vaporizing liquid thruster chip was able to demonstrate vaporization of water propellant at a power level of 2 W. A micro-isolation valve could be opened at an energy of 16 mJ within 0.1 ms, and sustain burst pressures of up to 3,000 psig.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.