Flow Properties of a Free Molecule Micro-Resistojet for Small Spacecraft Applications

Abstract

Interest in low cost space operations and exploration has encouraged the investigation of small satellite constellations which enhance the performance of tasks previously performed by a few much larger spacecraft. Satellite constellations consisting of several spacecraft with masses between 0.01 and 100 kg will be used for various missions 1. The growing trend towards the use of large numbers of small spacecraft operating in local clusters or constellations has created a critical requirement for low power efficient propulsion systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 18, 1998
Accession Number
ADA397996

Entities

People

  • Andrew D. Ketsdever
  • Dean C. Wadsworth
  • E. P. Muntz
  • Stephen E. Vargo

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Flow
  • Gas Dynamics
  • Gas Flow
  • Gases
  • Heating Elements
  • Knudsen Number
  • Military Research
  • Molecules
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Satellite Constellations
  • Small Satellites
  • Spacecraft
  • Specific Impulse
  • Thrusters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Economics
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites