Power Processing Unit and Feed System Development for a Multimode Spacecraft Propulsion System

Jacob G. Eisen, Bryan C. Cline, Steven P. Berg, Joshua L. Rovey

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Multimode spacecraft propulsion systems integrate two or more propulsive modes that use a shared propellant. A multimode system combining a chemical decomposition mode with an electrospray mode is presently being developed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in collaboration with Froberg Aerospace, LLC. Fundamentally, a multimode spacecraft propulsion system consists of a thruster, power processing unit, and a propellant feed system. This paper details the ongoing development of a power processing unit and feed system for a previously developed prototype monopropellant-electrospray thruster. The power processing unit consists of two separate voltage-boosting circuits, one delivering 3.25 kV DC during electrospray operation and the other delivering 24 V DC during chemical mode operation. The feed system architecture is a single gas-pressurized system with distinct flow paths for each mode of operation and must provide volumetric flow rates of approximately 850 nL/s in electrospray mode and 100 μL/s for chemical mode operation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2021
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624106118
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
EventAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: Aug 9 2021Aug 11 2021

Publication series

NameAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2021

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period8/9/218/11/21

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Energy
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

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