Feasibility study of additive manufacturing techniques applicable to resistojet propulsion systems

The use of additive manufacturing (AM) can potentially offer significant benefits to the design and performance of resistojet components but has so far only seen limited research in this application. The goal of this study was to investigate the possibility of 3D printing a functional resistojet heating chamber and the potential benefits that...

Highly concentrated H2O2 preparation, stabilization and decomposition over manganese oxide-based catalysts for space propulsion

High concentration hydrogen peroxide (HP) promises to be an economical and green alternative for hydrazine. However, it has only limited storage life, and addition of stabilizers must be avoided to preserve the high purity required for propellants. This work has investigated the mechanical fastening of normally dissolved stabilizers on the...

On the Design of a Propulsion System for the Lunar Meteoroid Impact Observer (LUMIO)

LUMIO is a 12U CubeSat destined for a halo orbit around the Earth-Moon L2 point, requiring 203 m/s of delta V for orbital transfer, station-keeping and disposal manoeuvres, to be delivered by its Main Propulsion System (MPS). A total impulse of 170 N-s is required to be delivered by its Reaction Control System (RCS) for de-tumbling and reaction...

Review of state-of-the-art green monopropellants: For propulsion systems analysts and designers

Current research trends have advanced the use of “green propellants” on a wide scale for spacecraft in various space missions; mainly for environmental sustainability and safety concerns. Small satellites, particularly micro and nanosatellites, evolved from passive planetary-orbiting to being able to perform active orbital operations that may...