A proposed on-orbit demonstration of an advanced pulsed-plasma thruster for small satellite applications

Author

Bromaghim, D.R. ; Spanjers, G.G. ; Spores, R.A. ; Burton, R.L. ; Carroll, D. ; Schilling, J.H.

Author_Institution

USAF Res. Lab., Edwards AFB, CA, USA

Volume

4

fYear

2000

fDate

2000

Firstpage

75

Abstract

The USAF AFRL Electric Propulsion Group is developing an advanced pulsed-plasma thruster (PPT) technology demonstration for small satellites. The initial flight opportunity was on MightySat II.2-a satellite bus specifically designed to advance AFRL-developed technologies and serve as a risk reduction mission for systems required for TechSat 21. This experiment will demonstrate a high performance PPT, making it a viable thruster for various applications such as orbit raising and initiating and maintaining clusters of small satellites. The experiment will also be the first flight of a new micro-propulsion thruster-a miniaturized version of the PPT, known as the micro-PPT (μ-PPT). The μ-PPT is ideal for very precise attitude control and pointing, formation flying, and for primary propulsion on micro-satellites. A novel on-board diagnostic package will be used to assess the contamination of optical and thermal control surfaces as a result of firing the PPTs. Ground-based observations will also be conducted to assess the on-orbit performance and possible communication impacts of the thruster firings

Keywords

aerospace propulsion; attitude control; electric propulsion; plasma devices; pointing systems; TechSat 21; advanced pulsed-plasma thruster; contamination assessment; enabling technology; formation flying; ground-based observations; micropropulsion thruster; on-board diagnostic package; on-orbit demonstration; precise attitude control; precise pointing; primary propulsion; risk reduction mission; satellite; small satellite applications; Acceleration; Cathodes; Firing; Fungi; Laboratories; Optical control; Packaging; Propulsion; Risk management; Satellites;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Aerospace Conference Proceedings, 2000 IEEE

Conference_Location

Big Sky, MT

ISSN

1095-323X

Print_ISBN

0-7803-5846-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AERO.2000.878368

Filename

878368