A hybrid cold gas microthruster system for spacecraft

Köhler, Johan; Bejhed, Johan; Kratz, Henrik; Bruhn, Fredrik; Lindberg, Ulf; Hjort, Klas; Stenmark, Lars

doi:10.1016/s0924-4247(01)00805-6

Cited by 106 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…In addition, it has been demonstrated that polyatomic kinetic modeling may be applied as an alternative approach to DSMC. The implemented parametric study may be useful in the design of micronozzles operating under rare¦ed conditions with applications in cold gas propulsion systems [13,14].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parametric study on propulsion performance of microtubes

Tantos

Valougeorgis

2017

Progress in Flight Physics

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The pressure-driven rare¦ed gas §ow of polyatomic gases through short tubes in a wide range of the Knudsen number is numerically investigated. The downstream over the upstream pressure ratio is taken very close to zero. Such §ows are characterized by low Reynolds numbers and high viscous losses and, therefore, short circular microtubes may be used instead of typical micronozzles. The main computed quantities include the §ow rate, the discharge coe©cient, the thrust, and the impulse factor which are provided in terms of the gas rarefaction and the tube dimensionless length. Based on the above, a parametric study on the propulsion characteristics of microtubes is provided. Furthermore, a comparison between corresponding polyatomic and monoatomic results is performed and the e¨ect of the internal degrees of freedom on the results is investigated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parametric study on propulsion performance of microtubes

Tantos

Valougeorgis

2017

Progress in Flight Physics

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“…21,22 Finally, silicon machining has been used to fabricate compact cold gas thrusters consisting of bonded Si chips to form a reaction chamber and compact nozzle. 23 Bio-and microfluidics. SU8 and other polymers, as well as Pyrex and silica, are used to fabricate microfluidic devices, including channels, nozzles, and pumps.…”

Section: Overview Of Space Applications Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation sensitivity of microelectromechanical system devices

Shea

2009

J. Micro/Nanolith. MEMS MOEMS

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Abstract. The sensitivity of microelectromechanical system ͑MEMS͒ devices to radiation is reviewed, with an emphasis on radiation levels representative of space missions rather than of operation in nuclear reactors. As a purely structural material, silicon has shown no mechanical degradation after radiation doses in excess of 100 Mrad. MEMS devices, even when excluding control/readout electronics, have, however, failed at doses of only 20 krad, though some devices have been shown to operate correctly for doses greater than 10 Mrad. Radiation sensitivity depends strongly on the sensing or actuation principle, device design, and materials, and is linked primarily to the impact on device operation of radiation-induced trapped charge in dielectrics. MEMS devices operating on electrostatic principles can be highly sensitive to charge accumulation in dielectric layers, especially for designs with dielectrics located between moving parts. In contrast, thermally and electromagnetically actuated MEMS are much more radiation tolerant. MEMS operating on piezoresitive principles start to slowly degrade at low doses, but do not fail catastrophically until doses of several Mrad. A survey of all published reports of radiation effects on MEMS is presented, as well as a summary of techniques that can improve their radiation tolerance.

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“…A micromachined hotplate is bonded on top of each cavity to allow ignition of the microthrusters one at a time [27] [28]. Finally, silicon machining has been used to fabricate compact cold gas thrusters consisting of bonded Si chips to form a reaction chamber and compact nozzle [29]. A good overview of micropropulsion for Cubesats can be found in [30].…”

Section: Optical Switching and Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

MEMS for pico- to micro-satellites

Shea

2009

SPIE Proceedings

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MEMS sensors, actuators, and sub-systems can enable an important reduction in the size and mass of spacecrafts, first by replacing larger and heavier components, then by replacing entire subsystems, and finally by enabling the microfabrication of highly integrated picosats. Very small satellites (1 to 100 kg) stand to benefit the most from MEMS technologies. These small satellites are typically used for science or technology demonstration missions, with higher risk tolerance than multi-ton telecommunication satellites. While MEMS are playing a growing role on Earth in safetycritical applications, in the harsh and remote environment of space, reliability is still the crucial issue, and the absence of an accepted qualification methodology is holding back MEMS from wider use. An overview is given of the range of MEMS applications in space. An effective way to prove that MEMS can operate reliably in space is to use them in space: we illustrate how Cubesats (1 kg, 1 liter, cubic satellites in a standardized format to reduce launch costs) can serve as low-cost vectors for MEMS technology demonstration in space. The Cubesat SwissCube developed in Switzerland is used as one example of a rapid way to fly new microtechnologies, and also as an example of a spacecraft whose performance is only possible thanks to MEMS.Keywords: MEMS, spacecraft, satellites, nanosatellites, cubesats, space OVERVIEW OF MEMS APPLICATIONS IN SPACEIn 2008 the market for MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) devices was nearly $8 Billion according to Yole Développement [1]. MEMS encompass an enormous range of applications, from RF switching to projection display to inertial sensors to implantable pumps. Combining low mass, low power consumption, small volume and possible integration with control and sense electronics, MEMS seem ideal for space applications, where it costs approximately 10'000 $ to place one kg in low Earth orbit (LEO).Reliability is a key concern for spacecraft, in view of the very larger development costs, near impossibility of repair (the service missions to the Hubble Space Telescope are the notable exception), and limited launch slots. One major difference between operation on Earth and in Space is the radiation level [2]. Other space-specific reliability concerns are thermal cycling and thermal shocks, vibration and mechanical shock at launch and stage/heat shield separation, and operation in very high vacuum. The typical service life of a telecommunication satellite is 15 years, during which time the spacecraft must operate continuously and flawlessly. For this reason, and because of the need for radiation tolerance, new technologies are generally accepted in space applications only many years later than in consumer electronics, except for cases where a new technology is required for a mission, or allows dramatic performance enhancement or mass reduction. This was the case for instance for FPGAs and is now the case for MEMS.The fraction of the $8 Billion MEMS market for space is very small, and MEMS for use in space ...

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A hybrid cold gas microthruster system for spacecraft

Cited by 106 publications

References 12 publications

Parametric study on propulsion performance of microtubes

Parametric study on propulsion performance of microtubes

Radiation sensitivity of microelectromechanical system devices

MEMS for pico- to micro-satellites

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