22N HPGP Thruster
Bradford ECAPS's 22N HPGP Thruster is designed for attitude, trajectory and orbit control of larger satellites and for systems such as propulsive payload adaptor rings.
- Non-toxic propellant makes for easier and less costly integration on secondary or ‘piggy-back’ missions.
- Propellant loading is simple, fast and avoids the cost associated with loading hydrazine. Allows the operator to spend less time on ground operations and more time on space operations.
- ‘Fuel at the factory’ – be ready for launch vehicle integration upon arrival at the launch pad.
- Non-toxic propellant makes payload adaptor rings suitable for a new class of small satellite launchers, where handling hazardous hydrazine may impede operations or where fully equipped hydrazine processing facilities may be non-existent.
- Higher performance over hydrazine allows for more payload or longer mission durations.
- Allows for more secondary or ‘piggy-back’ launch opportunities, especially missions where there is concern about the hazards of hydrazine and its risks to the primary payload.
- Allows for more capable missions than spacecraft without propulsion.
- Allows for more agile mission profiles than electric propulsion. Spacecraft take significantly less time to execute maneuvers and orbit changes.
The 22N HPGP thruster is currently undergoing a test fire campaign with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, characterizing the performance of the thruster. This is intended to prepare the 22N HPGP thruster for use on future NASA missions, such as observatory or interplanetary science missions.
Specifications Table
Thruster Type | HPGP |
Propellant | LMP-103S |
Thrust Class | 22 N |
Primary Operational Mode | RCS + Δ ∨ |
Inlet Pressure Range | 5.5 - 24 Bar |
Thrust Range | 5.5 - 22 N |
Nozzle Expansion Ratio | 150:1 |
Steady State ISP (vacuum) Typical | 2385 - 2500 Ns/Kg (243 -255 s) |
Density Impulse (vacuum) | 2957 - 3100 Ns/L |
Minimum Impulse Bit | ≤0.44 Ns |
Overall Length | 260 mm |
Mass | 1.1 kg |
FCV Type | Solenoid |
- No of Seats | Dual Seat |
- Pull-in Voltage | 28 ± 4 VDC |
- Holding Voltage | 10 ± 1 VCD |
- Coil Resistance (each coil) | 64 Ω |
Nominal Reactor Pre-heating Voltage | 28 VDC |
Regulated Reactor Ore-heating Power | 25 - 50 W TBC |
Target Life - Qual. Level | |
Pulses | 50,000 |
Propellant Throughput | 150 kg |
Longest Continues Firing | 45 minutes |
Accumulated Firing Time | 7.6 hours |
Firing Sequences | 350 |
Demonstrated Life | |
Pulses | 26,481 |
Propellant Throughput | 53 kg |
Longest Continues Firing Time | 38 minutes |
Accumulated Firing Time | 3 hours |
Firing Sequences | 282 |
Maturation Level | TRL 5/6 |
Current Status | |
EQM in Qualification |