Author :
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 13 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (644 download)
Book Synopsis AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion by :
Download or read book AFRL MicroPPT Development for Small Spacecraft Propulsion written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A class of miniaturized pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT), known as MicroPPTs, is currently in development at the Air Force Research Laboratory. The MicroPPTs use a surface discharge across solid Teflon(TM) propellant to provide precise impulse bits in the 10 microN-s range. In the near term, these thrusters can provide propulsive attitude control on 150-kg-class spacecraft using 1/5th the dry mass of conventional torque rods and reaction wheels. Eventually these thrusters are designed for primary and attitude control propulsion on future 25-kg class spacecraft envisioned for such missions as formation flying sparse aperture arrays for space-based surveillance, on-orbit satellite servicing, and space control. A synopsis of the status of the thruster is presented, discussing development, lifetime, performance, and environmental testing.