2007 Volume 76 Issue 4 Pages 394-398
Micro-/nano-technology provides the opportunity to build entirely new, bold space architectures, which are indispensable for future space systems. Developments are taking place in materials, electronic and MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) devices, and microsystems. In this paper, we review the current status and vision for micro electric propulsion technology, which is indispensable for next-generation microspacecraft, or so-called nano-/pico-satellites. We then present the research and development of a micro plasma thruster, which consists of a microwave-excited microplasma source 1.5 mm in diameter and 10 mm long and a converging-diverging micronozzle with a throat 0.2 mm in diameter. Emphasis is placed on the prominent characteristics of microwave-excited microplasma and micronozzle flow. Numerical simulation and experiments demonstrate that this miniature electrothermal thruster produces a thrust of >1mN and a specific impulse of 〜 100s at a microwave input power of <10W, making it applicable to attitude-control and station-keeping maneuver for a microspacecraft of <10kg.
