Thruster Subsystem for the United States Naval Academy's (USNA) Ballistically Reinforced Communication Satellite (BRICSat-P)

Abstract

With over 272 attempted launches since 2000, CubeSat technology has exponentially increased as industries and universities have realized their potential. While this growth looks promising for space research possibilities, there are still a number of issues, with the largest being CubeSat maneuverability. The majority of CubeSats cannot orient or propel themselves, meaning mission functionality is limited and collision probability will increase as time goes on. CubeSat technology has been improving, and the mission of this technology has become increasingly more important in the development and advancement of new technologies. The Micro-propulsion and Nanotechnology Laboratory at The George Washington University has constructed a four-channel Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster (μCAT) micro-propulsion subsystem that allows these satellites to perform missions without reliance on their launch vehicles. The propulsion system has a volume of approximately 541 cm 3 that can produce specific impulse values up to 3000 s. Each μCAT onboard is used for the CubeSat's attitude control, orbit change, de-orbiting, and movement. The μCAT system was integrated into the USNA's 1.5U CubeSat (BRICSat-P) to be used to perform three maneuvers while at an orbit of 500 km: de-tumbling, spin, and a delta-V that will attempt to change the orbit of the CubeSat relative to the orientation of Earth's magnetic field. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the thruster subsystem's development and application for the BRICSat-P mission parameters. In addition, the μCAT subsystem's circuitry, thruster head design, and development will be reviewed to provide the information used to reach CubeSat flight standards.

Design and In-orbit Demonstration of REGULUS, an Iodine electric propulsion system

“…The BRICSat-P is a space mission in which a propulsion system has been integrated on a 1.5 U Cube-Sat. It was launched in 2015, and four μCAT thrusters [8] were used for attitude control. In the SERPENS [9] mission (launched in 2015) a PPT was integrated on a 3 U CubeSat for drag compensation.…”

Recent progress and perspectives of space electric propulsion systems based on smart nanomaterials

“…Thrusters in space and on Earth : left photograph ( a ), four small EP thrusters installed on a Cubesat ready for the orbital flight 144 . Courtesy of Dr. Jin Kang.…”

Space micropropulsion systems for Cubesats and small satellites: From proximate targets to furthermost frontiers

“…These thrusters are integrated into the USNA's 1.5U BRICSat-P, to perform three maneuvers and prove their ability to propel a CubeSat. 195 BRICSat-P was launched in May 2015. It is currently in orbit, but due to power issues, a consistent communication has not yet been established.…”

“…Indeed, weighing as little as 1 kg for a 10 cm 2 "U"-class Cubesat nanosatellite and no more than 100 kg for a larger microsatellite, these devices take up a fraction of the weight of the conventional communication satellite, which can reach up to 5000 kg and thus can be delivered into space as part of secondary payload rides. To put this in perspective, a single launch of Falcon 9 rocket can accommodate the delivery of a hundred of 50 kg microsatellites onto orbit, at an approximate cost of $0.6 Â 10 6 or less per Cubesat delivered onto orbit.…”