Cold gas microthruster

Kean How Cheah, Chaggai Ganani, Kristina Lemmer, Angelo Cervone

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedings/Edited volumeChapterScientificpeer-review

1211 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This chapter covers the development of cold gas microthruster, which is widely regarded as the simplest way of generating thrust in space, for nanosatellites. A brief background and principles of operation were given, followed by the introduction of nozzle theory that could be used in the preliminary estimation of microthruster performance and considerations in selecting a suitable propellant. The current state of development in cold gas microthruster (at the time of writing in 2020) was provided, from its first use in SNAP-1 in 2000 to another 12 nanosatellites as well as one technology demonstration mission in Prototype Research Instruments and Space Mission technology Advancement small satellite. The chapter ends with a discussion on future nanosatellite missions that will feature a cold gas microthruster system and the challenges, such as fabrication of micronozzle and its design optimization, to improve overall efficiency.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSpace Micropropulsion for Nanosatellites
Subtitle of host publicationProgress, Challenges and Future
PublisherElsevier
Pages23-50
Number of pages28
ISBN (Electronic)9780128190371
ISBN (Print)9780128190388
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care
Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

Keywords

  • Cold gas
  • CubeSat
  • MEMS
  • Micronozzle
  • Microthruster

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cold gas microthruster'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this