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DARPA Demos Mighty Micro-Thrusters
Washington (UPI) Apr 25, 2005 The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has demonstrated tiny thrusters for mini spacecraft 50 to 100 times more efficient than previously developed. The thrusters, developed by Amish Desai, of Tanner Research in Pasadena, use a black powder propellant yielding a specific impulse of 116 seconds - the highest known level of thrust per unit of propellant achieved to date for micro-thrusters. To hold the tiny, but high-energy explosions created by the powder, the research team had to develop a new structural design to contain the combustion pressure. In the process they shifted from epoxy and plastics to an aluminum structure. The next step is to find a way to mass-produce the thrusters using standard industrial techniques. DARPA hopes to eventually integrate such tiny thrusters into guided munitions, small satellites, and micro air vehicles enhancing their maneuverability at a low cost. The work was funded under a DARPA Phase II Small Business Innovation award. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links DARPA SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com
Successful First Test For Vega's Zefiro 9 Engine
Paris, France(ESA) Dec 28, 2005Flames, smoke and a deafening noise accompanied the first firing test of Vega's Zefiro 9 third-stage solid rocket motor. A first examination of the data indicates that everything went well at the test carried out yesterday at Salto de Quirra in southeast Sardinia. |
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