A Survey of Micropropulsion for Small Satellites

The Stanford Space Systems Development Laboratory (SSDL) is developing several CubeSat missions (including KatySat) that can benefit from onboard propulsion systems. CubeSats are generally one to two kilograms and made of one to three units of 10 cm cubes. The small size puts a premium on real estate and power. Onboard thrusters would have to be compatible with these restrictions. Ideally, a thruster system could provide thrust for attitude control and primary propulsion for docking/rendezvous, observation/inspection, and formation flying. A survey is presented of existing technology driven by the following primary requirements: Ibit less than 1mNs, mass less than 1kg, and size less than one 10cm cube unit. Some of technologies reviewed include Vacuum Arc Thrusters (VAT), resistojets, MEMs microresistojets, Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs), cold gas thrusters, monopropellant thrusters, bipropellant MEMS thrusters, and solid propellant MEMS thrusters. These systems were reviewed for a variety of possible applications for small satellites.

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