Silicon-Based Chemical Micro-Thrusters for Nano and Pico Satellite Applications

Recent interest in development of small satellites in the 1-100kg size class for a variety of military, research and commercial missions has highlighted the critical need for high performance, light-weight micro-thrusters and associated sub-system components such as valves, regulators, tanks and power sources. Ventions proposes to work with MIT to fulfill this critically emerging need by examining the feasibility of scaling MIT’s already-demonstrated silicon micro-rocket to a 10mN thruster, and to examine the fundamental scaling laws that dictate the design and operation of such micro-thrusters. Additionally, it will also examine scaling of associated sub-system components already being developed at MIT / Ventions to create a baseline design for a complete micro-propulsion system for an emerging class of small spacecraft applications.