Solid-Fueled Micro Colloid Thruster for Nanosatellites

Most satellite propulsion systems use energetic liquid propellants or compressed gas to produce thrust. While acceptable for the primary payload, they are not favored for secondary payloads, such as a cluster of nanosatellites, due to the substantial risk that they present to the primary payload. Unfortunately, safe and reliable propulsion systems that use solid, chemically inert fuels are not yet available for nanosatellites. Electric propulsion can utilize such a fuel efficiently, but of the many electric propulsion concepts, only the Hall and colloid thrusters can be miniaturized to the micro scale. Therefore, in this project we propose to develop an array of micro colloid thrusters suitable for use on nanosatellites. Each colloid emitter will produce about a microNewton of thrust and we will gang many of them together to provide the thrust level needed to precisely control spacecraft position. It is almost as easy to fabricate an array of thrusters as just one, since we can replicate hundreds of emitters on a single chip using MEMS fabrication processes. Aerojet, the world leading supplier of in-space propulsion systems, will assess our results and work with us to transition the technology into future systems.