The CUA Quick Turn Pulsed Plasma Thruster (QT-PPT) self-contained system uses either a disc or a spool of a solid inert PTFE (Teflon®) Fiber as propellant. The entire system, including the power processing unit (PPU) is tightly integrated onto a stack of printed circuit boards (PCBs) approximately 0.5U in size, which offloads most of the manufacturing and quality control to the specialized PCB manufacturer, and enables the “Quick Turn” PPT system integrated by CUA.
CUA developed miniaturized electronics subsystems including life-tested high-density energy storage via multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), low-erosion discharge geometry, negligible-erosion regenerative carbon igniters, compact power electronics, and electromagnetic thrust vectoring.
Recent FCC deorbit rule changes require deorbiting within 5 years of end of useful lifetime. QT-PPT with a fiber feed system can achieve a full 1300 km deorbit for a 6 kg spacecraft from a 0.7U thruster. The total impulse can be varied via fuel loading and capacitor energy selection, and thrust vectoring is also an option. For comparison, the smaller disc 0.5U configuration is estimated to have a specific impulse of 700 s and a total impulse of 1100 N-s, enough to lower a 4 kg CubeSat from 900 km to 400 km. CUA’s long-term goal will be to establish the QT-PPT as a mature integrated system solution with standard lead times under 6 weeks.
Advantages Include
Speedy production time- less than 6 weeks from order date
Safe, inexpensive propulsion option
Compact, efficient, and capable thruster
Inert Teflon Propellant- Spooled or disc form