Study on Stable Operation of Micro-thruster Using Stacked Solid Propellant Pellets

Abstract

A micro-thruster using stacked solid propellant pellets for nano-satellites has the high versatility. This thruster can generate arbitrary total impulse by changing the number of installed pellets. In order to install the thruster in a nano-satellite, it is necessary to clarify conditions of stable operation. We changed materials and manufacturing methods of the thruster, and measured the combustion chamber pressure and the burning rate. A certain condition of the thruster achieved stable operation. A difference between the burning rates of the propellant pins caused unexpected combustion chamber pressure rise. A silicone rubber contributed stable operation because it made the burning rates of the propellant pins even.