Research into Resistojet Rockets for Small Satellite Applications

This effort investigated the use of resistojet rockets for small satellite stationkeeping missions. Small satellites create unique system constraints, compared to larger spacecraft, that have not been investigated thoroughly for stationkeeping missions. These constraints are: cost, power, volume, mass, safety, and thrust. Whilst all these constraints have been considered in off-the shelf-systems used through out the aerospace community, current systems may not be appropriate or affordable for cost-effective small satellite applications. Cold gas systems have low performance, hydrazine and ammonia systems use toxic propellants, and arcjets, electrostatic and electromagnetic electric propulsion systems have low thrust to input power ratios. Thus, electric propulsion using resistojets operating at low power, 100W, and using liquid propellants, water and nitrous oxide, have re-emerged as attractive propulsion options for small satellites.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH is the author of 'Research into Resistojet Rockets for Small Satellite Applications', published 1998 under ISBN 9781423554592 and ISBN 1423554590.