Digital Micro-thrusters with simplified architecture and reliable ignition and combustion

This communication reports on the development of a high performance propellant coupled with a reliable ignition technology based on Microsystems technology for the realization of solid propellant microthrusters with reliable performances. The concept for the ignition, the propellant formulation and the thrusters architecture was reviewed from scratch. A solid propellant was formulated in association with the development of a coating process and an igniting chip for a controlled and complete combustion of the propellant at the micro-scale level. The successful ignition and controlled combustion of the solid-propellant coated on the micro-igniting chips has been confirmed using a high speed camera, providing valuable real time date on the ignition and combustion characteristics of the propellant. Micro-thrusters with simplified architectures were designed and fabricated based on this ignition concept and the first results on their performances are reported.