Development of a Power Efficient, Restartable, "Green" Propellant Thruster for Small Spacecraft and Satellites

摘要: This paper details the development of an innovative "green" hybrid rocket propulsion system, applicable to small spacecraft. When fully developed this technology has potential act as a "drop in" replacement for system utilizing hazardous propellants such hydrazine. Fuel grains are manufactured using form additive manufacturing known Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Using FDM overcomes multiple technical issues frequently associated with systems. Issues include lowoutput-rate manufacturing, lack restartability, and poor volumetric efficiency. reduces production costs by supporting high rates across wide range factors. FDM, thermoplastic fuel can be fabricated port shapes that enhance burn properties increase efficiencies. Most significantly, because FDM-processing builds specimen one layer at time, most thermo-plastic materials via possess unique electrical breakdown greatly ignitability restartabilty. FDM-processed subjected high-voltage inductive charge, electrical-arc develops along layered material surface Joule heating produces amount pyrolized vapor. arc occurs simultaneously introduction oxidizing flow, pryolized hydrocarbon vapor "seeds" combustion immediate ignition entire length material. regression compared analytical predictions conclude paper. Keywords—hybrid-propulsion; small-spacecraft; additivemanufacturing; environmental-sustainability; low-hazard, arc-