An overview of MEMS-based micropropulsion developments at JPL

Juergen Mueller, Colleen Marrese, James Polk, Eui Hyeok Yang, Amanda Green, Victor White, David Bame, Indrani Chadraborty, Stephen Vargo, Robert Reinicke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Development of MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems) micropropulsion at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is reviewed. This includes a vaporizing liquid micro-thruster for microspacecraft attitude control, a micro-ion engine for microspacecraft primary propulsion or large spacecraft fine attitude control, as well as several valve studies, including a solenoid valve studied in collaboration with Moog Space Products Division, and a piezoelectric micro-valve. The solenoid valve features much faster actuation (as little as 1.5 ms to open) than commercially available MEMS valves and showed no detectable leak (< 10-4 sccs GN2) even after 1 million cycles. The solenoid valve weighs 7 gram and is about 1 cm3. A micro-isolation valve, aimed at sealing propulsion systems at zero leak rates, was able to show burst pressures as high as 3,000 psi even though entirely machined from silicon and Pyrex. It could be actuated with energies as little as 0.1 mJ.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)881-895
Number of pages15
JournalActa Astronautica
Volume52
Issue number9-12
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2003

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