Publications

Version: 1.1 Approved

LDO-ID 2014-04-30-02

Title Cold Gas Micro Propulsion: overview of achievements for Gaia, LISA Pathfinder, Microscope and forthcoming Euclid following the successful delivery and in flight operation of the GAIA Micro Propulsion System

Abstract

A European Cold Gas Micro Propulsion system with the possibility to finely control the generated micro thrust level from 1mN to 1mN has been successfully developed, manufactured at flight standard level and delivered to the Customer for being embarked on Gaia spacecraft. The GAIA Cold Gas Micro Propulsion is currently operating in the nominal orbit L2 after successful commissioning activities. Following this achievement, two additional Cold Gas Micro Propulsion Systems are currently under fabrication at Flight Standard level for LISA Pathfinder and Microscope. In particular the System for Microscope foresees the upgrading of the electronic unit to achieve more challenging requirements. The paper presents a review of the Cold Gas Micro Propulsion System for LISA Pathfinder and Microscope, highlighting the status of these activities and the improvements introduced to fulfill the requirements of these missions. A possible further application of a Cold Gas Micro Propulsion System is foreseen on Euclid spacecraft, , following Phase A,B studies and successful balance tests up to 2 mN. In this view, the possibility to improve also the fluidic subsystem has been assessed, based on an in-house developed electronic pressure regulator using same basic Selex ES piezo technology.

Authors Noci Giovanni Enrico, Matticari Giovanni, Ceruti Luca, Fallerini Leonardo, Atzei Alessandro, Edwards Clive, Morris George, Pfaab Kilian

Type Paper for Seminar/Symposium/Conference

Media Space Propulsion 2014 - Conference (19–22 May 2014, Cologne, Germany)

Web site

Anno 2014