Towards micropropulsion systems on-a-chip: initial results of component feasibility studies

Recent advances in the development of several micropropulsion components for microspacecraft applications are reported. These include a vaporizing liquid micro-thruster, a micro ion engine, a micro-isolation valve, a micro-piezo valve, and a micro-solenoid valve. These components are envisioned to be integrated with chip-based driver and power conditioning electronics into highly integrated, compactly configured micropropulsion modules, reducing overall system weight and size as well as cost and complexity of propulsion system integration. Proof-of-concept demonstration for several of the concepts was recently obtained. A vaporizing liquid thruster chip was able to demonstrate vaporization of water propellant at a power level of 2 W. A micro-isolation valve could be opened at an energy of 16 mJ within 0.1 ms, and sustain burst pressures of up to 3,000 psig.