Laser micro-thrust technology is a type of propulsion that uses a laser beam to ablate a propellant such as a metal or plastic. The ablated material is expelled out the back of the spacecraft, generating thrust. The technology has the advantages of h...
In this paper, a new numerical modeling method that combines a modified electromechanical model with a Teflon ablation model is proposed to simulate the working process of micro-pulsed plasma thruster (μPPT). The ablation mass accumulation during...
To meet the rapid maneuverability and lightweight demands of micro-nano satellites, a space micro solid thruster using 3D-printed short glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6GF) composites was developed. Thruster shells with wall thicknesses of 4, 3...
The transmissive mode laser micro-ablation performance of near-infrared (NIR) dye-optimized ammonium dinitramide (ADN)-based liquid propellant was investigated in laser plasma propulsion using a pulse YAG laser with 5 ns pulse width and 1064 nm wavel...
Micro-Newton cold-gas thrusters are promising actuators for precision space missions, but their performance is strongly influenced by the integrated head architecture. This study presents the design, fabrication, and experimental validation of a piez...
This work describes the advances on a micro-newton torsional thrust balance for ionic liquid electrospray thruster (ILET) being developed in the National University of Defense Technology. The torsional thrust balance adopts an asymmetric pendulum arm...
This paper reports on the effect of structural materials on heat loss-associated propulsion performance degradation of monopropellant thrusters in the micro scale. In order to address the effect of fabrication materials on heat loss, propellant flow...
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a promising green propellant for CubeSat propulsion and is compatible with both monopropellant and hybrid propulsion systems. This study investigates the application of silver-coated Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS)...
Vacuum arc thrusters (VATs) have recently gained significant interest as a micro-propulsion system due to their scalability, low cost, storability, and small form factor. While VATs offer an attractive propulsion solution for CubeSats, conventional p...
In this article, electro-osmotic thrusters (EOTs), which are full of non-Newtonian power-law fluids with a flow behavior index n of the effective viscosity, are theoretically investigated in a microchannel. Different values of the flow behavior index...
In recent years, cold gas thrusters have been successfully deployed in numerous missions, showcasing their exceptional reliability and enabling ultra-precise space operations across a broad thrust range. This article introduces an integrated cold gas...
Very low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellites are confronted with the challenge of orbital decay caused by thin atmospheres, and the volume and power limitations of micro satellites further restrict the application of traditional electric propulsion systems...
As a cost-effective and versatile solution, small satellites are increasingly being considered for space exploration. However, one of the major challenges in deploying small satellites for high total impulse missions, particularly deep space explorat...
Vacuum arc thruster performance in a magnetic nozzle configuration is experimentally characterized. Measurements are performed on a miniature coaxial thruster with an anode inner diameter of
Under the given initial discharge energy level, altering the electrode structural parameters of the Ablative Pulse Plasma Thruster (APPT) is an effective way to improve the performance of the thruster. The purpose of this study is to reveal the under...
To enhance the accuracy of micro-Newton thrust measurements via a torsion pendulum, addressing microgravity coupling effects caused by platform tilt and pendulum mass eccentricity is crucial. This study focuses on analyzing and minimizing these effec...
CubeSats provide a cost effective means to perform scientific and technological studies in space. Due to their affordability, CubeSat technologies have been diversely studied and developed by educational institutions, companies and space organization...
Here, space electroosmotic thrusters in a rigid nanochannel with high wall zeta potentials are investigated numerically, for the first time, considering the effect of finite size of the ionic species. The effect, which is called a steric effect, is o...
The needle valve, serving as the flow control unit of the thruster system, is a crucial component of the entire thruster. Its performance directly impacts the flow state of the rarefied gas in the micro-nozzle structure of the cold gas micro-thruster...
When the satellite is in orbit, the thruster will experience drastic temperature changes (100–1000 K) under solar radiation, which will affect the rarefied gas flow state in the micro-nozzle structure of the cold gas micro-thruster. In this stu...
Visualization methods have always been used to inspect flows that are invisible to the naked eye. Seedless velocimetry has been regarded as an alternative to other intrusive quantitative methods and adapted to fit many applications in the industrial...
The space gravitational wave detection mission has put forward multiple performance requirements for micro-newton thrusters, such as “fast response, high resolution, and low noise”. In order to solve the problem that the traditional open-...
This paper presents the design and development of a sub-joule micro-Pulsed Plasma Thruster (µPPT) as a possible low-cost propulsion solution for Pocket-Cubes, used to increase its reliability, capability, and lifetime. It is shown that the &mic...
The increasing demand on combustion-based micro-power generation systems, mainly due to the high energy density of hydrocarbon fuels, created a great opportunity to develop portable power devices, which can be applied on micro unmanned aerial vehicle...
Ionic liquid electrospray thrusters are capable of producing microNewton precision thrust at a high thrust–power ratio but have yet to demonstrate lifetimes that are suitable for most missions. Accumulation of propellant on the extractor and ac...
Pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT) have demonstrated enormous potential since the 1960s. One major shortcoming is their low thrust efficiency, typically <30%. Most of these losses are due to joule heating, while some can be attributed to poor efficienc...
The space gravitational wave detection and drag free control requires the micro-thruster to have ultra-low thrust noise within 0.1 mHz–0.1 Hz, which brings a great challenge to calibration on the ground because it is impossible to shield any spurious...
With the improvement and development of micro-mechanical manufacturing technology, people can produce an increasing variety of micro-electromechanical systems in recent years, such as micro-satellite thrusters, micro-sensors, micro-aircrafts, micro-m...
Electric solid propellants are advanced solid chemical rocket propellants that can be controlled (ignited, throttled and extinguished) through the application and removal of an electric current. This behavior may enable the propellant to be used in m...
The present work investigates the impact of steady micro-jet blowing on the performance of a planar micro-nozzle designed for both liquid micro-thrusters and nitrogen cold-gas micro-resistojets. Two micro-injectors have been placed into the divergent...
Submicron particles transported by a Laval-type micronozzle are widely used in micro- and nano-electromechanical systems for the aerodynamic scheme of particle acceleration and focusing. In this paper, the Euler–Lagrangian method is utilized to...
In this study, we first considered the influence of micro-nozzle wall roughness structure on molecular collision and reflection behavior and established a modified CLL model. The DSMC method was used to simulate and analyze the flow of the micro-nozz...
Micro underwater vehicles (MUVs) have been highlighted recently for underwater explorations because of their high maneuverability, low price, great flexibility, etc. The thrusters of most conventional MUVs are driven by electromagnetic motors, which...
The interest in developing efficient nano and pico-satellites has grown in the last 20 years. Secondary propulsion systems capable of serving specific maneuvers are an essential part of these small satellites. In particular, Micro-Electro-Mechanical...
The micro xenon gas flow control module is mainly applied to the feed system of hundred-watt Hall electric propulsion. Two-channel microflow control is realized via structural design to meet the flow requirements of the anode and cathode of the Hall...
The paper presents the development of the power, propulsion, and thermal systems for a 3U CubeSat orbiting Earth at a radius of 600 km measuring the radiation imbalance using the RAVAN (Radiometer Assessment using Vertically Aligned NanoTubes) payloa...
With the increasing global concerns about the impacts of byproducts from the combustion of fossil fuels, researchers have made significant progress in seeking alternative fuels that have cleaner combustion characteristics. Such fuels are most suitabl...
A xenon micro flow control device (XMFCD) is the key component of a xenon feeding system, which controls the required micro flow xenon (µg/s–mg/s) to electric thrusters. Traditional XMFCDs usually have large volume and weight in order to...
Variable and potential plasma applications in aerospace engineering are exemplified by ion thrusters, flow control by plasma actuator, enhanced ignition and combustion stability. The operational environments span a range from the rarefied to continuu...
Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) enables the integral fabrication of thrust chamber–nozzle and injector assemblies, eliminating some assembly and welding interfaces and reducing structural redundancy. However, under this manufacturing route, as-...
In the field of laser ablation micro-propulsion, the property of double-layer tape has significant impact on the propulsion performance. In this paper, low temperature plasma was used to treat the surface of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to improv...
Outgassing or thruster’s generated contaminants are critical for optical surfaces and optical payloads because scientific measurements and, in general, the performances can be degraded or jeopardized by uncontrolled contamination. This is a wel...
VENμS (Vegetation and Environment New micro (μ) Satellite) is a micro satellite launched in 2017 by the Israeli Space Agency (ISA) and the French Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES). VENμS is a research satellite containing two v...
Laser ablation propulsion based on liquid propellants is a type of propulsion technology with a high specific impulse and good controllability that can be applied to space thrusters, gas metal arc welding, and extreme ultraviolet light. However, its...
Micro-newton thrust stands are widely used in thruster ground calibration procedures for a variety of space missions. The conventional analytical model does not consider the gravity-induced extension effect and systematic error in displacement for th...
Regular inspections and hull cleanings are essential to prevent bio-fouling on ships. However, traditional cleaning methods such as brush cleaning and high-pressure water-jet cleaning at docks are ineffective in cleaning niche areas like bow thruster...
High efficiency thrust generating foils are extensively being researched for potential use as thrusters in micro air vehicles and biomimetic autonomous underwater vehicles. Here, we propose a simple reduced order model for prediction of thrust genera...
Green propellants are currently considered as enabling technology that is revolutionizing the development of high-performance space propulsion, especially for small-sized spacecraft. Modern space missions, either in LEO or interplanetary, require rel...