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Results of the qualification test campaign of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Cubesat Propulsion (PPTCUP)

Results of the qualification test campaign of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Cubesat Propulsion (PPTCUP)
Results of the qualification test campaign of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Cubesat Propulsion (PPTCUP)
Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Cubesat Propulsion (PPTCUP) is an ablative pulsed plasma thruster designed with the aim of providing translational and orbital control to Cubesat platforms. The qualification model presented in this paper has been developed by Mars Space Ltd, Clyde Space Ltd and the University of Southampton to produce a versatile “stand-alone” module that can be bolted on the Cubesat structure, allowing the orbital control along the X or Y-axis of the satellite. An extensive and complete test campaign to qualify the unit for space flight, which includes electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) characterization, thermal cycling and mechanical tests, has been performed according to the NASA GEVS procedures. PPTCUP is characterized by an averaged specific impulse of 655±58 s and a deliverable total impulse of 48.2±4.2 Ns. Finally, it has been found that the unit is compliant with the EMC requirements and can successfully withstand the thermal and mechanical loads typical of a Cubesat space mission.
0094-5765
314-322
Ciaralli, S.
3459747b-24b7-4c80-80d9-f65d12d22ec3
Coletti, M.
f99567c2-8fab-42dd-9e25-c3f69495667f
Gabriel, S.B.
ac76976d-74fd-40a0-808d-c9f68a38f259
Ciaralli, S.
3459747b-24b7-4c80-80d9-f65d12d22ec3
Coletti, M.
f99567c2-8fab-42dd-9e25-c3f69495667f
Gabriel, S.B.
ac76976d-74fd-40a0-808d-c9f68a38f259

Ciaralli, S., Coletti, M. and Gabriel, S.B. (2016) Results of the qualification test campaign of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Cubesat Propulsion (PPTCUP). Acta Astronautica, 121, 314-322. (doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2015.08.016).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Cubesat Propulsion (PPTCUP) is an ablative pulsed plasma thruster designed with the aim of providing translational and orbital control to Cubesat platforms. The qualification model presented in this paper has been developed by Mars Space Ltd, Clyde Space Ltd and the University of Southampton to produce a versatile “stand-alone” module that can be bolted on the Cubesat structure, allowing the orbital control along the X or Y-axis of the satellite. An extensive and complete test campaign to qualify the unit for space flight, which includes electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) characterization, thermal cycling and mechanical tests, has been performed according to the NASA GEVS procedures. PPTCUP is characterized by an averaged specific impulse of 655±58 s and a deliverable total impulse of 48.2±4.2 Ns. Finally, it has been found that the unit is compliant with the EMC requirements and can successfully withstand the thermal and mechanical loads typical of a Cubesat space mission.

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Accepted/In Press date: 30 August 2015
e-pub ahead of print date: 5 September 2015
Published date: April 2016
Organisations: Engineering Science Unit, EEE

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Local EPrints ID: 383092
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/383092
ISSN: 0094-5765
PURE UUID: 178c6050-3fe1-48ad-a3e3-14b23ede3d25

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Date deposited: 21 Oct 2015 13:08
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 21:38

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Contributors

Author: S. Ciaralli
Author: M. Coletti
Author: S.B. Gabriel

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