Earth-orbiting nanosatellite constellations are a unique and exciting means toward fulfilling part of the mission of the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). These constellations, which may consist of several hundred 10-kg spacecraft, present unique challenges in the area of propulsion. Many mission concepts require significant delta-v and attitude control capability to reside in the nanosatellites. In response to requirements from mission feasibility studies, such as the Magnetospheric Constellation study, the GSFC has initiated industry and government partnerships to develop enabling propulsion technologies. The largest challenge has been to meet the power constraints of nanosatellites. These power issues, combined with the high thrust required by many of the missions studied, have led the GSFC to concentrate its efforts on chemical propulsion technology. Electric propulsion technologies capable of performing efficiently at very low power are also of interest to the GSFC as potential candidates for nanosatellite formation flying missions. This paper provides the status of specific industrial or government partnerships undertaken by the GSFC to develop nano/micro propulsion components. Three specific technologies are described in detail: 1) Nanosatellite Solid Rocket Motor Prototype 2) Ultra-Low-Power Cold Gas Thruster for Spin-Axis Precession 3) Micro-Machined Solid-Propellant Gas Generators.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Nanosatellite Propulsion Development Program


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Micro/NanoTechnology for Space Applications ; 1999 ; Pasadena, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    1999-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Goddard Space Flight Center Nanosatellite Propulsion Development Program

    Gagosian, J. / Zakrzwski, C. / Rhee, M. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999


    Free Molecule Micro-Resistojet: Nanosatellite Propulsion

    Lee, Riki / Lilly, Taylor / Muntz, E. et al. | AIAA | 2005


    Free Molecule Micro-Resistojet: Nanosatellite Propulsion

    R. H. Lee / T. C. Lilly / E. P. Muntz et al. | NTIS | 2005


    University Nanosatellite Program

    Martin, M. / Cobb, R. / Schlossberg, H. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999


    University Nanosatellite Program

    Martin, M. / Schlossberg, H. / Mitola, J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999