Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Low-Power Resistojet Performance for Small Satellites

Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Low-Power Resistojet Performance for Small Satellites

Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT

• Small satellite missions increasingly require propulsion systems that can deliver meaningful maneuverability within tight limits on mass, volume, and power.
• Water resistojet thrusters are attractive for this class of spacecraft because they are simple, nontoxic, and compatible with typical small satellite power budgets, but achieving efficient performance at low power remains challenging.
• This work addresses that gap through coupled thermo-fluid modeling, parametric trade studies, and experimental characterization of low-power water resistojet prototypes using a low-cost vacuum testbed.