PPT Development for Nanosatellite Applications: Experimental Results
In this paper, the design and performances of a pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) for nanosatellite applications will be presented. The breadboard model PPT presented in this paper will be a part of six PPTs propulsion system designed to provide attitude and translational control for a 20-kg nanosatellite for a total delta-V of 40 m/s. The thruster performances have been characterized in terms of electrical parameters, mass bit, impulse bit, and specific impulse. The thruster was found to be compliant with the mission requirement. Moreover, preliminary electromagnetic noise interference measurements have been performed. The spark plug discharge was found to be the main source of noise as already found by previous authors. From the collected data, it can be inferred that the noise is mostly radiated.
Development of a Microthruster Module for Nanosatellite Applications
There is a growing interest for the use of nano-satellites within the aerospace community. However, the applicability of useful missions for nano-satellite is limited by the lack of propulsion capability. This study have identified the mission needs, and the requirements that must be met by the propulsion system in terms of mass, dimensions, power and performance in order to enable nano-satellite as an emerging and disruptive technology. Trade-off studies led to the selection of the Pulsed Plasma Thruster as the most- promising technology which can best meet the full range of requirements or at least best meet them over the widest range for the class of spacecraft and mission of interest to this study. This paper describes the conceptual PPT microthruster module design which has been developed to cover the mission scenario selected.
Pulsed Plasma Thruster Ignition Study
Abstract : A study of ignitor plug operation in a one-millipound pulsed plasma thruster has been performed. Inductive, rather than resistive coupling of the ignitor plug cathode to the thruster cathode electrode has been shown to significantly reduce a carbonaceous deposit buildup on the plug face. A reduction in plug deposition was also demonstrated by the use of a high current, short pulse length, plug trigger circuit.