MICROSATELLITE COLD GAS MICROPROPULSION SYSTEM
ALMASpace's cold gas micropropulsion system has been designed for microsatellite platform of the order of 10 - 100 kg. The technology used for microthruster realization is based on MEMS microdevice. The throat size is 40 micron and the microthrusters are realized in collaboration with Carlo Gavazzi Space S.p.a.
The entire system consists of a propellant tank, a fill valve, two pressure transducer, an isolation valve, an electric motor, a pressure regulator, 14 solenoid microvalves and 12 microthrusters mounted in cluster configuration (four groups of three thrusters). The control electronics uses an 8 bit microcontroller that collect data from pressure sensors, control the valve, communicate with other subsystem and execute the algorithms needed to perform attitude control maneuvers. Because of the large amount of valves a combination of shift register SIPO and PISO is used to actuate the valve drivers from the microcontroller.
ALMASpace's cold gas micropropulsion system has been designed for microsatellite platform of the order of 10 - 100 kg. The technology used for microthruster realization is based on MEMS microdevice. The throat size is 40 micron and the microthrusters are realized in collaboration with Carlo Gavazzi Space S.p.a. The entire system consists of a propellant tank, a fill valve, two pressure transducer, an isolation valve, an electric motor, a pressure regulator, 14 solenoid microvalves and 12 microthrusters mounted in cluster configuration (four groups of three thrusters). The control electronics uses an 8 bit microcontroller that collect data from pressure sensors, control the valve, communicate with other subsystem and execute the algorithms needed to perform attitude control maneuvers. Because of the large amount of valves a combination of shift register SIPO and PISO is used to actuate the valve drivers from the microcontroller.
Cold Gas Features:
The entire system consists of a propellant tank, a fill valve, two pressure transducer, an isolation valve, an electric motor, a pressure regulator, 14 solenoid microvalves and 12 microthrusters mounted in cluster configuration (four groups of three thrusters). The control electronics uses an 8 bit microcontroller that collect data from pressure sensors, control the valve, communicate with other subsystem and execute the algorithms needed to perform attitude control maneuvers. Because of the large amount of valves a combination of shift register SIPO and PISO is used to actuate the valve drivers from the microcontroller.
ALMASpace's cold gas micropropulsion system has been designed for microsatellite platform of the order of 10 - 100 kg. The technology used for microthruster realization is based on MEMS microdevice. The throat size is 40 micron and the microthrusters are realized in collaboration with Carlo Gavazzi Space S.p.a. The entire system consists of a propellant tank, a fill valve, two pressure transducer, an isolation valve, an electric motor, a pressure regulator, 14 solenoid microvalves and 12 microthrusters mounted in cluster configuration (four groups of three thrusters). The control electronics uses an 8 bit microcontroller that collect data from pressure sensors, control the valve, communicate with other subsystem and execute the algorithms needed to perform attitude control maneuvers. Because of the large amount of valves a combination of shift register SIPO and PISO is used to actuate the valve drivers from the microcontroller.
Cold Gas Features:
- Nonhazardous propellants reduce handling costs and safety requirements;
- Capability to increase thrust and volume tank;
- Capability to increase thrust and volume tank;
