Educational purposes have been the trigger for CubeSat development. Most of this class of nano-satellites where initially developed as hands-on projects at universities and institutes, mostly being of very simple construction and complexity. However, in the most recent years low cost sensors and mobile technology started to be translated into nano-satellites, and this expanded their possible mission profiles, prompting the attention of companies and government agencies. Today, many tasks that previously where only possible to be developed within a multi-million dollar/euro framework can be accomplished by nano-satellites, at a tiny fraction of their cost. One of the major weaknesses of these devices is the low level of available power onboard, and the lack of efficient state-of-the-art propulsion systems. The present paper provides a throughout discussion on the diverse propulsion technologies used for CubeSat and other micro-satellite systems. If only attitude correction is requested then, present day technologies can be readily used. However, for orbit change or interplanetary nano-spacecraft propulsion, present day technologies are not able to provide the necessary performance under the restricted power budget on-board. New routes are herein proposed for the development of thrusters for nano-satellites and other comparable size spacecrafts.
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ASME 2018 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
November 9–15, 2018
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5200-2
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
A Review of Propulsion Systems for CubeSats
Jose C. Pascoa,
Jose C. Pascoa
University of Beira Interior, Colvilhã, Portugal
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Odelma Teixeira,
Odelma Teixeira
University of Beira Interior, Colvilhã, Portugal
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Gustavo Filipe
Gustavo Filipe
University of Beira Interior, Colvilhã, Portugal
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Jose C. Pascoa
University of Beira Interior, Colvilhã, Portugal
Odelma Teixeira
University of Beira Interior, Colvilhã, Portugal
Gustavo Filipe
University of Beira Interior, Colvilhã, Portugal
Paper No:
IMECE2018-88174, V001T03A039; 8 pages
Published Online:
January 15, 2019
Citation
Pascoa, JC, Teixeira, O, & Filipe, G. "A Review of Propulsion Systems for CubeSats." Proceedings of the ASME 2018 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 1: Advances in Aerospace Technology. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. November 9–15, 2018. V001T03A039. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2018-88174
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