Session
Technical Session IX: Instrumentation and Sensors
Abstract
Advanced chemical and low power electric propulsion systems offer attractive options for near-term small satellite propulsion. Applications include orbit raising, orbit maintenance, attitude control, repositioning, and deorbit of both Earth-space and planetary spacecraft. Potential propulsion technologies for these functions include high pressure Ir/Re bipropellant engines, very low power arcjets, Hall thrusters, and pulsed plasma thrusters, all of which have been shown to operate in manners consistent with currently planned small satellites. The broad range of small satellite missions, capabilities, and constraints dictates that multiple technologies be considered for these spacecraft. Arcjets, Hall thrusters, and pulsed plasma thrusters have been used operationally, with four arcjets on the Telstar 4 communications satellite launched in December 1993, over sixty Hall thrusters flown by the Soviet Union, and over ten pulsed plasma thrusters flown by the United States and Soviet Union. Technology development is continuing, with significant upgrades to each of these systems underway. Mission analyses show that insertion of advanced propulsion technologies enables and/or greatly enhances many planned small satellite missions. Examples of commercial, DoD, and NASA missions are provided to illustrate the potential benefits of using advanced propulsion options on small satellites.
Chemical and Electric Propulsion Options for Small Satellites
Advanced chemical and low power electric propulsion systems offer attractive options for near-term small satellite propulsion. Applications include orbit raising, orbit maintenance, attitude control, repositioning, and deorbit of both Earth-space and planetary spacecraft. Potential propulsion technologies for these functions include high pressure Ir/Re bipropellant engines, very low power arcjets, Hall thrusters, and pulsed plasma thrusters, all of which have been shown to operate in manners consistent with currently planned small satellites. The broad range of small satellite missions, capabilities, and constraints dictates that multiple technologies be considered for these spacecraft. Arcjets, Hall thrusters, and pulsed plasma thrusters have been used operationally, with four arcjets on the Telstar 4 communications satellite launched in December 1993, over sixty Hall thrusters flown by the Soviet Union, and over ten pulsed plasma thrusters flown by the United States and Soviet Union. Technology development is continuing, with significant upgrades to each of these systems underway. Mission analyses show that insertion of advanced propulsion technologies enables and/or greatly enhances many planned small satellite missions. Examples of commercial, DoD, and NASA missions are provided to illustrate the potential benefits of using advanced propulsion options on small satellites.
