Title:
MEMS Mega-pixel Micro-thruster Arrays for Small Satellite Stationkeeping
Authors:
Daniel W. Youngner, Son Thai Lu (Honeywell Technology Center)
Edgar
Choueiri (EPPDyL,
Princeton University)
Jamie B. Neidert, Robert E. Black III, Kenneth J. Graham (Atlantic Research
Corporation)
Rodney Lucas (Quantic Industries)
Xiaoyang Zhu (University of Minnesota Chemistry Department)
Document type:
USU Conference on Small Satellites Paper: SSC00-X-2, Presented at the 14th
AIAA/USU Small Satellite Conference, North Logan, UT, August 21-24, 2000.
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Abstract:
Small satellites flying in clusters require periodic "stationkeeping" to
keep them in place. The required impulse in very small - the goal
is mot to keep the individual satellites in rigid formation, but only to
keep them in well-defined orbitals with respect to one another. The
necessary impulse, therefore, is only the amount needed to overcome the
difference in drag between the most -affected and least-affected satellites
in the cluster. Estimates are that the differential drag can be overcome
by providing ~1 micro-Newton second to ~1 mN second every 10 to 100 seconds
throughout each satellite's mission. The system we are developing
will do that. The thrusters have very low power and energy thresholds
for ignition (~10 mWatts, ~100 micro-Joules), and no moving parts so they
are expected to be very reliable. a single thruster array contains a quarter
of a million separate thrusters.
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