Advanced pulsed plasma thruster for satellites orbit control

Author

Vasantharaj, R. ; Sureshbabu, D. ; Kumar, Dinesh

Author_Institution

VelTech HighTech Dr Rangarajan, Dr Sakunthla Eng. Coll., Chennai, India

fYear

2010

fDate

13-15 Nov. 2010

Firstpage

111

Lastpage

113

Abstract

This paper describes the progress of an advanced pulsed plasma thruster (PPT).The PPT currently being developed for flight which represents a significant leap in technology compared to previous flight models. The PPT will be used to extend satellite life from about 1-3 months to over one year by raising it´s operational orbit. The PPT is an ideal propulsion system for extending the small satellite life because of it´s high specific impulse (>;1000 sec), low system wet mass (<;5 kg), and inert nature when not powered (thus minimizing shuttle integration issues). In addition to the life enhancement mission, the on-orbit operations have been specifically designed to rigorously test the PPT ant to demonstrate it´s compatibility with the satellites spacecraft in order to validate it for commercial satellites.

Keywords

aerospace control; aerospace propulsion; artificial satellites; plasma devices; PPT; flight model; inert nature; life enhancement mission; low system wet mass; on-orbit operation; operational orbit; propulsion system; pulsed plasma thruster; satellite orbit control; satellite spacecraft; Capacitors; Magnetic fields; Orbits; Plasmas; Plugs; Propulsion; Satellites;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Recent Advances in Space Technology Services and Climate Change (RSTSCC), 2010

Conference_Location

Chennai

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-9184-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/RSTSCC.2010.5712812

Filename

5712812