Volumetrically Efficient Cold Gas Cubesat Propulsion

Recent interest in cube satellites over the last few years has created related interest in propulsion for small satellites. Cubesats, more than other satellites, are volume and power constrained, which pose significant challenges for implementation of cubesat propulsion systems. R-134a propellant systems can provide low cost and efficient propulsion for small impulse maneuvers, orbital maintenance, and attitude control for small cube satellites due to their relatively low operating pressure, stored propellant density, and relative simplicity. This paper gives an overview of the design, development, and testing of the COSGC ALLSTAR PROPSAT module. The PROPSAT module is a cold-gas thruster for the COSGC ALLSTAR cube satellite. The module is designed to significantly extend the mission duration for cube satellites through orbital maintenance. The PROPSAT module is an all-aluminum structure that includes an internal propellant ”tank” which stores liquid-phase R134a, a gas-phase cold-gas plenum, and the necessary valves, sensors, and controls for thermal management, control of propellant, and generation of thrust. The current design produces an estimated ∆V of about 15 m/s over the mission life time. The system is designed for ∆V maneuvers only, and requires a separate ACS system provided by the ALLSTAR bus to perform the mission. There is a large scope for expanding the utility of the PROPSAT module to other platforms.