Micropropulsion Across Technologies
The Busek micropropulsion effort spans several technologies and capabilities intended for a variety of missions. The thrusters in various stages of development include:
1) 0.01 mN class colloid thrusters suitable for low thrust noise (<0.0001 mN) and highly accurate (approx. 10 nm) satellite position control for interferometeric missions such as LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna). First demonstration of these thrusters will be on the JPL New Millennium, Space Technology 7 mission called DRS which will fly on ESA spacecraft.
2) 0.01 to 1 mN-sec class microPPTs suitable for low deltaV nanosat missions or for ACS on larger satellites. The first of this class μPPTs will fly on the U.S. Air Force Academy satellite FalconSat3.
3) 5 mN class micro-resistojets for nanosats (<100 kg) with limited power on board (<20 W) and low deltaV (approx. 100 m/sec) missions. The resistojet uses ammonia or methanol as propellant. Methanol is a green propellant that achieves nearly the same performance as ammonia. Both are a far less toxic alternative to hydrazine.
4) 1 mN class RF Ion thrusters intended for accurate position control required by IR interferometeric missions such as the Terrestrial Planet Finder. The RF thruster eliminates the internal discharge cathode and the neutralizer and allows broad adjustability/wide dynamic range of thrust. These features make this thruster ideal for multiple satellite coordinated formation flying missions.
5) 0.1 to 1 mN class simplified colloid thrusters intended for missions with less demanding position accuracy. This class of micro thrusters is also ideal for drag make-up or coordinated formation flying of multiple satellites.
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