Micronozzle Performance: A Numerical and Experimental Study

Micropropulsion is universally considered to be a key technology enabling nano- and pico- satellites to perform more complex missions. However, past research has shown that nozzle efficiencies at the microscale are far inferior to their macro scale counterparts. These low efficiencies can be attributed to the relatively high viscous losses...

Design and Thermal Analysis of a SolarThermal Thruster

Iodine-Fed μACFT Engineering Model for CubeSats

In the new space paradigm, CubeSats have become the go-to platform for researchers and industry devel- opers across the world for gaining access to space. As CubeSat technologies are maturing, many developers are planning intricate and utilitarian missions for CubeSats. Many of these concepts involve formation fly- ing or swarm dynamics, debris...

Multi-Flyby Mission to a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid: Improving the Earth Impact Probability Knowledge

The feasibility of improving the Earth collision uncertainty knowledge of a potentially Earth impacting asteroid by means of a multi-flyby mission has been researched in this thesis. The feasibility is assessed both from an astrodynamics point of view and from a systems engineering point of view. The astrodynamics part provides knowledge...

Design and Verification of Delfi-PQ Satellite Propulsion Sub-system: Experimental Analysis and Design Improvements of the Technology Demonstration Payload for Micro-Thrusters

AE faculty at TU Delft is currently developing a PocketQube satellite under the name of Delfi-PQ. Following the previous study, performed on a high level systems engineering on Delfi-PQ propulsion sub-system, there is a need to verify the propulsion sub-system's design, its final operational envelope values, and propulsion sub-system's...

Design of an Integral Propulsion System Analysis Tool (IPSAT): The Design and Construction of a Modular Propulsion System Design Tool

Heat Storage and Management with Phase Change Material in CubeSats: Determining the feasibility and predictability of Phase Change Material as a passive Thermal Storage Device in CubeSats

As the CubeSats have been getting more energy dense over the years, a greater need has come for thermal control on CubeSats. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are researched in this thesis as an energy dense passive Thermal Storage Device (TSD). This energy density comes from the melting of the PCM. To determine the feasibility of this TSD. The...

Conception, design and evaluation of a self-pressurizing propulsion storage module for a PocketQube-class satellite using compliant mechanisms

The advent of miniaturized satellites has sparked an interest in effective methods of exploiting their capabilities. Potential has been found in propulsion­enabled units, and TU Delft is at the forefront of researching and developing suitable propulsion modules for thrust generation or attitude control of small satellites classified as Cubesats...

Comparative Study Between MEMS and Conventional Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Micropropulsion

Miniaturization of spacecraft has been gaining wide interest in the space industry, given its potential for reducing space missions' costs and providing a novel approach to enhancing and facilitating spaceflight. Recently, a lot of research has been successfully put into this field along with the advancements that make it more feasible, though a...