Green micro-resistojet research at Delft University of Technology: the new frontiers of Cubesat propulsion

Journal article (2016)

Authors

A. Cervone Space Systems Egineering
B.T.C. Zandbergen Space Systems Egineering
D. Cordeiro Guerrieri Space Systems Egineering
M. de Athayde Costa e Silva Space Systems Egineering
H.W. van Zeijl EKL Processing - EEMCS
Research Group
Space Systems Egineering
Copyright: © 2016 A. Cervone, B.T.C. Zandbergen, D. Cordeiro Guerrieri, M. de Athayde Costa e Silva , H.W. van Zeijl
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-016-0135-3
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

2016

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Research Group

Space Systems Egineering

Abstract

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 waterpropelled 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