Recent Advances in MEMS-Based Microthrusters

Abstract

With the development of micro/nano satellites and formation flying, more advanced spatial propulsion technology is required. In this paper, a review of microthrusters developments that based on micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology adopted in microthrusters is summarized. The microthrusters in previous research are classified and summarized according to the types of propellants and the working principles they utilized. The structure and the performance including the thrust, the impulse and the specific impulse of various microthrusters are compared. In addition, the advantages and the disadvantages of these microthrusters presented in the paper are discussed.

Electric Propulsion Methods for Small Satellites: A Review

“…The field is created by the potential difference between an emitter and extractor grid with a max potential difference determined by the Child Langmuir law [1]. Multiple Taylor cones in an array make up the thruster, the potential to have many Taylor cones makes these thrusters adaptable [25]. Electrospray thrusters operate in either droplet or ion emission mode.…”

Transmissive Mode Laser Micro-Ablation Performance of Ammonium Dinitramide-Based Liquid Propellant for Laser Micro-Thruster

“…Nevertheless, chemical fuel propulsion has the disadvantages of requiring a catalyst, preheating, adjusting feed pressure, complicated combustion chamber structure and low specific impulse [ 2 , 15 , 16 ]. Traditional electric propulsion systems have drawbacks such as higher operating voltage and too low thrust [ 17 ]. In addition, due to the characteristics of small size, lightweight, low power consumption and low cost, micro-nano satellites pose new challenges for the propulsion system to be able to perform various tasks flexibly, such as long-term reliability, attitude control, orbit correction and orbit transfer [ 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”