Design, fabrication, and thrust prediction of solid propellant microthrusters for space application

Carole Rossi; Norbert Fabre; Veronique Conedera; Daniel Esteve

doi:10.1117/12.341157

10 March 1999 Design, fabrication, and thrust prediction of solid propellant microthrusters for space application

Carole Rossi, Norbert Fabre, Veronique Conedera, Daniel Esteve

Proceedings Volume 3680, Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS and MOEMS; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.341157
Event: Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS/MOEMS, 1999, Paris, France

Abstract

With the development of microspacecraft technology micropropulsion concepts are introduce for course correction, orbit insertion as well as attitude control of the microspacecraft. In this context, we have introduced a new concept of MEMS based technology microthruster responding to the spatial constraints and MEMS characteristics. The originality and advantages of these new thrusters is the use of only one solid propellant stored in a small tank micromachined in a ceramic or silicon substrate and the possibility of fabricating arrays of N addressable independently microthrusters in the same chip. The thrust force generated can be set from a few (mu) N to a few 150mN by geometrical and dimensional considerations. Fabrication and assembly of array of 16 microthrusters proved the technological feasibility and the functioning performances of this new concept of small scale thrusters.

Citation Download Citation

Carole Rossi, Norbert Fabre, Veronique Conedera, and Daniel Esteve "Design, fabrication, and thrust prediction of solid propellant microthrusters for space application", Proc. SPIE 3680, Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS and MOEMS, (10 March 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.341157

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available