P4S-1 Solid Propellant Pulsed Plasma Thruster - Development Tests
- Paper number
IAC-06-C4.P.4.08
- Author
Prof. Hector Brito, Instituto Universitario Aeronautico, Argentina
- Coauthor
Mr. Roque De Alessandro, Instituto Universitario Aeronautico, Argentina
- Coauthor
Mr. Carlos Dominguez, Instituto Universitario Aeronautico, Argentina
- Coauthor
Mr. Enrique Calcagni, Instituto Universitario Aeronautico, Argentina
- Coauthor
Mr. Eugenio Galian, Instituto Universitario de Microgravedad "Ignacio Da Riva"; IDR/UPM, Argentina
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Instituto Universitario Aeronáutico is developing an Ablative Pulsed Plasma Thruster as a low cost-mass-power simple, safe and highly efficient propulsion option for microsatellite or low-cost satellite orbit and/or attitude control. System concept study, manufacturing and pre-development testing activities have already been performed, together with the design and implementation of a “resonant blade” thrust stand with which experimental accuracy levels around 5
The development phase, geared toward identifying and solving technological as well as programmatic critical issues, started in 2002 and lasted until end 2004. The purpose of this paper is to present the main results of firing testing during the development phase, with emphasis in the problems encountered, test data analysis and corrective actions definition and implementation. Main activities pointed to minimize power losses and the thruster self-inductance, as well as increasing the firing time and improving ablated mass measurements. As a result, a steady increase of ablated mass and impulse bit was observed throughout this phase having at the end approached the nominal design values.
The qualification phase is presently underway on the basis of lessons learnt during the former, having been translated into a flight rated design of the thruster. This phase is directed to address some issues still pending of resolution such as endurance of electrodes, spark plugs and power electronics, together with propellant consumption evolution patterns.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C4.P.4.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.