Test results for second-generation low thrust bipropellant engines

Abstract

All artificial satellites surrounding the earth request a propulsion system in order to perform the necessary orbit and attitude correction manoeuvres. These propulsion systems are nearly all based on liquid systems (either mono-or bipropellant), sometimes in combination with solid and/or gas systems. Today most of the satellites use bipropellant systems for injection as well as correction manoeuvres. Especially in Europe all telecomuiunication satellites use bi-propellant systems and DASA also suceeded to receive a contract for the scientific CLUSTER program using its bi-propellant thrusters. The main reason for this decision was the fact that DASA was preparing a second generation of low thrust engines (10 N) offering slightly increased performance. 111 the meantime this new 10 N thruster was successfully qualified for CLUSTER and in addition also for telecommunication satellites.Furtheron DASA developed a 4 N bipropellant thruster for attitude control which has already passed pre-qualification tests and will be submitted to formal qualification testing early 1993. This Daner summarizes the aualification test results of the 10