[amsat-bb] Re: Path to HEO

[Samudra Haque]

Hello,
Perhaps my recent work may stimulate discussion in this thread, though it
has not been proven in Space yet, but ...

my George Washington University MAE dept. micropropulsion subsystems for
small spacecraft was highlighted in the September 3 issue of the School of
Engineering and Applied Sciences newsletter. If you have the time, please
see the following web video that shows the first ever firing of three
simultaneous microthrusters. These subsystems were developed under Dr.
Michael Keidar, and are products of the GWU  Micro-Propulsion and
Nanotechnology Lab. It should play well in all web browsers, PC, Mac or
Mobile.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzYYl-b0DOFWZ1U0RFBYdU93NW8/edit?usp=sharing

Thrust range is 1-50 uNs (impulse-bits, variable, programmable) per
channel. Different clustering/arraying/firing sequences possible. Available
2013. Looking for a ride to Space for qualification to higher TRL. We are
at TRL5+ now.

73 de Samudra/N3RDX

newsletter excerpt:

*The Micro-propulsion and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MpNL),* led by* Prof.
Michael Keidar (MAE), *participated in the 27th Annual AIAA/USU Conference
on Small Satellites, held August 10-15 in Logan, UT.  *MAE doctoral student
Samudra Haque p*resented dual operational prototype hardware examples of
his research focus,* “Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster (µCAT) Subsystem for
In-space Propulsion of Small Satellites,” *and explained to audiences its
applicability for space missions and its technology readiness level for
testing in the 2013 GWU/NASA Ames Research Center investigative project,
“Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster PhoneSat Experiment.”

*Micro-propulsion and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MpNL) *students have
successfully completed, for the first time ever, a full integration and
testing of a prototype 3-channel Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster (µCAT)
subsystem at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC).  This was specifically
engineered for the ARC Center Innovation Fund 2013 award project,
“Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster PhoneSat Experiment.”  The project was intended
to explore the viability of enabling the innovative Google Nexus
SmartPhone-powered series of small spacecraft to have full attitude and
orbit correction capabilities.  Three of these spacecraft were flown and
operated in space in April 2013 onboard the Antares launcher by Orbital
Sciences from Wallops Flight Facility, VA.


On Fri, May 3, 2013 at 1:56 PM, M5AKA <m5aka at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> Can't remember if the links on the work of N1BCD were posted earlier:
>
> Video of presentation at
> http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/22959312/highlight/267762
>
> Slides
>
> http://icubesat.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/icubesat-org-2012-c-1-1-_presentation_brandon_201205231623.pdf
>
> IARU Coordination
> http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/formal_detail.php?serialnum=305
>
> 73 Trevor M5AKA
>
>
>
>
>
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