An integrated RF power delivery and plasma micro-thruster system for nano-satellites

dc.contributor.authorLiang, Wei
dc.contributor.authorCharles, Christine
dc.contributor.authorRaymond, Luke C.
dc.contributor.authorStuchbery, Alex
dc.contributor.authorSurakitbovorn, Kawin
dc.contributor.authorGu, Lei
dc.contributor.authorBoswell, Roderick
dc.contributor.authorRivas-Davila, Juan
dc.date.accessioned2020-06-16T01:07:37Z
dc.date.available2020-06-16T01:07:37Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.date.updated2020-01-12T07:17:46Z
dc.description.abstractProgress in satellite technologies is ongoing and eventually finds applications back on Earth. Electric propulsion systems have been proven effective on large scale satellites (NASA DAWN) with better propellant efficiency than chemical or cold gas propulsion, and if miniaturized can be promising for long term operation of nano-satellites (e.g., CubeSats) in low Earth orbit or in deep space (NASA MarCO). However, the power supplies often used to power these electric thrusters, particularly those involving radiofrequency (RF) plasma, typically comprise power inefficient linear mode RF power amplifiers (e.g., class AB). These are simple systems designed to operate reliably under a wide range of loads for versatility, but they suffer low power efficiencies when operating at conditions significantly different from the nominal operating point. The required bulky and heavy thermal management components deem these electric propulsion systems impossible to fit on board nano-satellites. Here we present a compact and efficient switched mode dc-RF power inverter integrated with an electro-thermal plasma micro-thruster for nano-satellite (e.g., Cubesats) propulsion. The integrated system can serve as side panels and structural support of CubeSats, saving precious on-board volume for propellant and/or payloads. A complete assembly has been operationally tested in a space simulation system. This development opens a route for a new generation of power supplies applicable to the space sector, the microelectronics industry as well as the field of bioengineering.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_AU
dc.identifier.issn2296-424Xen_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1885/205163
dc.language.isoen_AUen_AU
dc.provenanceCopyright © 2018 Liang, Charles, Raymond, Stuchbery, Surakitbovorn, Gu, Boswell and Rivas-Davila. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.en_AU
dc.publisherFrontiers Research Foundationen_AU
dc.rightsCopyright © 2018 Liang, Charles, Raymond, Stuchbery, Surakitbovorn, Gu, Boswell and Rivas-Davila.en_AU
dc.rights.licenseCreative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)en_AU
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/en_AU
dc.sourceFrontiers in Physicsen_AU
dc.titleAn integrated RF power delivery and plasma micro-thruster system for nano-satellitesen_AU
dc.typeJournal articleen_AU
dcterms.accessRightsOpen Accessen_AU
local.bibliographicCitation.issue115en_AU
local.bibliographicCitation.lastpage9en_AU
local.bibliographicCitation.startpage1en_AU
local.contributor.affiliationLiang, Wei, Stanford Universityen_AU
local.contributor.affiliationCharles, Christine, College of Science, ANUen_AU
local.contributor.affiliationRaymond, Luke C., Stanford Universityen_AU
local.contributor.affiliationStuchbery, Alex, College of Science, ANUen_AU
local.contributor.affiliationSurakitbovorn, Kawin, Stanford Universityen_AU
local.contributor.affiliationGu, Lei, Stanford Universityen_AU
local.contributor.affiliationBoswell, Roderick, College of Science, ANUen_AU
local.contributor.affiliationRivas-Davila, Juan, Stanford Universityen_AU
local.contributor.authoremailu4025692@anu.edu.auen_AU
local.contributor.authoruidCharles, Christine, u4025692en_AU
local.contributor.authoruidStuchbery, Alex, u5162641en_AU
local.contributor.authoruidBoswell, Roderick, u8000743en_AU
local.description.notesImported from ARIES
local.identifier.absfor020204 - Plasma Physics; Fusion Plasmas; Electrical Dischargesen_AU
local.identifier.absfor090199 - Aerospace Engineering not elsewhere classifieden_AU
local.identifier.absfor020109 - Space and Solar Physicsen_AU
local.identifier.absseo970102 - Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciencesen_AU
local.identifier.absseo880305 - Space Transporten_AU
local.identifier.absseo810107 - National Securityen_AU
local.identifier.ariespublicationu4485658xPUB1362en_AU
local.identifier.citationvolume6en_AU
local.identifier.doi10.3389/fphy.2018.00115en_AU
local.identifier.scopusID2-s2.0-85055121677
local.identifier.uidSubmittedByu4485658en_AU
local.publisher.urlhttps://www.frontiersin.org/en_AU
local.type.statusPublished Versionen_AU

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