Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTS) are a new option for attitude control of a small spacecraft and may result in reduced attitude control system (ACS) mass and cost. The primary purpose of an ACS is to orient the spacecraft to the desired accuracy in inertial space. The ACS functions for which the PPT system will be analyzed include disturbance torque compensation, and slewing maneuvers such as sun acquisition for which the small impulse bit and high specific impulse of the PPT offers unique advantages. The NASA Lewis Research Center (LERC) currently has a contracted flight PPT system development program in place with Olin Aerospace with a delivery date of October 1997. The PPT systems in this study are based upon the work being done under the NASA LERC program. Analysis of the use of PPTs for ACS showed that the replacement of the standard momentum wheels and torque rods with a PPT system to perform the attitude control maneuvers on a small low Earth orbiting spacecraft reduced the ACS mass by 50 to 75% with no increase in required power level over comparable wheel-based systems, though rapid slewing power requirements may present an issue.


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    Title :

    Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control


    Contributors:
    M. L. Mcguire (author) / R. M. Myers (author)

    Publication date :

    1996


    Size :

    18 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control

    McGuire, M. / Myers, R. / Goddard Space Flight Center | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996


    Pulsed plasma thrusters for small spacecraft attitude control

    McGuire, Melissa L. / Myers, Roger M. | NTRS | 1996


    Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control

    M. L. Mcguire / R. M. Myers | NTIS | 1996


    Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control

    McGuire, Melissa L. / Myers, Roger M. | NTRS | 1996


    PULSED PLASMA THRUSTERS FOR SPACECRAFT ATTITUDE CONTROL

    Cassady, R. J. / Myers, R. M. / Osborne, R. D. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996