Micropropulsion for Space — A Survey of MEMS-based Micro Thrusters and their Solid Propellant Technology

Abstract

In the last two decades, advances in microsystems technology have made micro mechanics mature enough to envisage miniaturization in the space industry. The motivation behind this development is the reductions in mass, satellite costs and launch costs in parallel with an increase in the reliability and flexibility of satellites. A cluster of many small satellites, commanded from a mothership, or totally independent, will, without any doubt, reduce the risk of mission failure and increase mission flexibility. This revolution in the space industry will rely on propulsion system development to ensure the maneuvering and fine positioning of micro and nano satellites (defined as satellites with mass between 20-100 kg and under 20 kg, respectively). This paper is provides a stateof-the-art review of micro thruster technologies for space applications. the intention is to overview the different technical solutions under investigation in the micropropulsion field, to assess their merits and disadvantages and to try to identify the promising ones in relation to future missions needs. First, the principles of propulsion and basic concepts and equations useful in describing and comparing propulsion systems are described. Then, a review micropropulsion needs for space is made and the options and technologies available for propulsion are presented. An outline is given of the technological efforts made in miniaturizing propulsion systems through examples from current research programs and the different micropropulsion technologies are compared. After illustrating the assets of microsystem technology in the micropropulsion field by the detailed presentation of one particular micropropulsion option investigated at LAAS-CNRS, namely solid propellant micro thruster arrays, a short discussion is given of the capability of microsystem technology to serve micropropulsion needs.

Study on micronozzle flow and propulsion performance using DSMC and continuum methods

“…In order to obtain these objects, satellites' miniaturization and micromation have been rapidly developed. With development in MEMS (microelectric mechanical system), integrated micro satellite with "digital micropropulsion" has been developed to obtain the multifunctional satellite [1,2]. To complete the orbiting mission and to achieve stabilization, stationkeeping and attitude-controlling, lower thrust (0.1-10 mN) and impulse bit are required, which could be completed by micropropulsion.…”

Design, fabrication, and testing of MEMS solid propellant thruster array chip on glass wafer

“…All such missions need a micro-propulsion system for maneuvering the satellites. Micro-propulsion is a key component since micro/nanosatellites will need a very small and accurate force to attain orbit transfer, attitude control, and station keeping [4,5]. Therefore, MEMS thrusters have been an active research field and various concepts for MEMS thrusters have been investigated.…”

Catalytic Combustion of Rich Methane/Oxygen Mixtures for Micropropulsion Applications

“…Micropropulsion needs can be broken up into three different types: 1) orbit insertion or transfer, 2) stationkeeping and drag compensation, and 3) attitude control. 3 The main benefits of small-scale propulsion devices are reduced life-cycle costs, potential for mass production, and reduced launch costs. 1 In addition, grouping micropropulsion devices into arrays and controlling individual or groups of thrusters allows for thrust vectoring and acceleration shock control for larger thrust applications.…”

“…2,4−7 Typically electric propulsion devices use electric energy from a stored source to eject propellant mass. 3 Other forms of nonchemical microthrusters were also discussed in Ref. 2.…”