• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.753-756
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• 2017

With the advancement of technology, miniaturization, integration, and weight reduction have become possible, and the existing medium and large satellites have been replaced by small satellites, and the need for a micro thruster has emerged. Laser ablation micro-thruster is a new type thruster using laser ablation. It is emerging as a new candidate in micro-thrusters with wide thrust range and low single impulse thrust. The objective of present study is to introduces the structure, propellant, and research trends of the laser ablation micro-thruster.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.98-106
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• 2018

With the advancement in technology, miniaturization, integration, and weight reduction of satellite components have become possible. In this regard, existing medium and large satellites have been replaced by small satellites. As the demand for small satellites increases, the need for micro-thrusters has emerged for precise attitude and position control. A laser ablation micro-thruster, which generates thrust by using ablation jets that offer a wide range of thrusts and low-impulse thrusts, is considered as an alternative for micro-thrusters in small satellites. The objective of the present study is to introduce configurations of the laser ablation micro-thruster and its research trend.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.195-200
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• 2011

A low power Hall thruster is under development for orbit maintenance of a small Earth observing satellite. Both cylindrical and annular type thrusters were manufactured and tested to characterize the performance of cylindrical Hall thrusters. Results were described through comparative analyses. Cylindrical thrusters were manufactured in two different channel diameter dimensions, 28 mm and 50 mm. Thrust, ion velocity and ion current were measured in various operating conditions. The results show that cylindrical thrusters are more efficient in mass utilization and voltage utilization, but less efficient in current utilization than annular one.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 1997.11a
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• pp.1-2
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• 1997

인공위성용 추력기는 위성의 자세제어 및 궤도조정용 소형 액체추진기관으로서 개발기술은 인공위성 그 자체는 물론 위성 발사체와 유도 미사일의 추진기관에 이르기까지 다양하게 확장 적용할 수 있는 핵심 기반기술이다. 때문에 선진국으로부터의 기술 이전을 기대하기 힘든 품목으로, 자체 개발을 통해 위성이나 유도무기에 장착 운용시험을 하기에도 막대한 비용 때문에 회피되고 있는 실정이다. (주)한화는 정부에서 국책과제로 추진하고 있는 KOMPSAT 위성 개발사업에 참여하여 소형 액체 추진기관인 단일 추진제 추력기의 개발을 추진하였다 1994년 11월 사업착수 이래 미국 TRW사로부터 추력기 설계, 해석 및 제작 기술을 이전 받았으며, 추력기 제작/시험 시설을 완공하여 TRW사의 제품 품질 요구조건(product assurance requirements)에 의거 제작에 착수하였다. 현재 총 8세트의 이중 추력기 모듈(dual thruster module)을 제작 납품하였으며 또한 추력기 자체의 핵심 부품을 원부자재 가공으로부터 제작하고 이의 인증 시험을 성공적으로 완료하였다. 현재 국산화 추력기를 KOMPSAT 위성에 장착하기 위한 이중 추력기 모듈 제작이 진행 중에 있다.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.490-495
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• 2009

A small Hall-effect thruster with a thrust range near 10 mN and a specific impulse of about 1500 s has been designed to control or maintain the orbits of small satellites. The thruster system consists of a hall-effect thruster head, a power processing unit and a Xenon (Xe) gas feed system. The total mass, the consumed electric power and the efficiency of the thruster are approximately 10 kg, 300W and 30%, respectively. Analyses results that support the selection of the thruster for small satellites are provided along with a brief description of the thruster system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.66-69
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• 2006

A two-dimensional Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulation of a Hall thruster is presented. The thruster is being developed for orbit transfer and correction of a small satellite. Preliminary investigation of the simulation result finds well separated acceleration and ionization layers. The simulation further shows that collisional ionization of the xenon neutrals allows sufficient acceleration of the ionized plasmas that is adequate for the intended correction and transfer of small satellite orbits. Anticipated performance of the thruster based upon the present results will be calculated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.117-120
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• 2011

The parameters which can affect the performance of small thruster were verified by experiments. The loss of catalyst through the port for pressure sensor was prevented by chamber wall mesh. There was no performance decrease due to chamber wall mesh, and stable supply of propellant is the key of stability of the thruster. However, sudden pressure drop in the chamber can decrease the performance instantly. Therefore, the sudden pressure drop should be eliminated as much as possible. The cross type distributor showed more stable performance than circular type, and structural strength is also stronger.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.496-501
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• 2009

The thruster head unit of a 300 W cylindrical Hall thruster was developed for the propulsion system of small satellites. The magnetic topology in the thruster channel is a key parameter to achieve high performances. Two types of magnetic circuit structures were designed and manufactured to compare the thrust levels and efficiencies. Also the endurance test was conducted to measure the stable operation duration of the thruster head and to find degree of erosion after extended operation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.645-648
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• 2011

Hydrazine which has been used as monopropellant shows high performance, but because of its high toxicity research for new green propellant that could replace hydrazine is going on. Ionic liquid propellant that is one of the green propellant has lower toxicity, higher specific impulse, and higher density than hydrazine. To design the thruster which use Hydroxylamine Nitrate (HAN), one of ionic liquid propellant, as a propellant, a quantity of catalyst for full decomposition of a propellant is needed. In this study, reference point for HAN thruster design could be suggested through a design of a small scale thruster which used HAN propellant, and propellant decomposition capability evaluation with characteristic velocity efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.40-46
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• 2022

Hall thrusters are one of the electric propulsion, where ions are accelerated to generate thrust and are widely utilized in space missions due to their high specific impulses. Recently, as the utilization of small and micro satellites with the mass of similar or less than 100 kg is highly increasing, the importance of research and development of the low-power electric propulsion is also raised. In this study, we developed two sub-200 W or less class, laboratory model Hall thrusters and measured the thrust and analyzed the discharge characteristics. Consequently, we obtained 2.5-9.0 mN of thrust, 600-1,150 s of specific impulse, and 15-28% of anode efficiency at 50-175 W of anode power.