CubeSat Ambipolar Thruster (CAT), a new rocket propulsion system powered by the Sun and propelled by water, which will push small spacecraft like CubeSats around and far beyond the Earth.
Just to give an idea of a water rocket
Looking at the drawing, we can assume that the long sides of the 3U cubesat can be deployed to form a 100% area efficient solar panel of 30cm*10cm*10cm*4panels = 0.012m2 area. The solar constant is 1400W/m2, so we have 16.8W solar (!) power on this area. To produce 20W of this would require 120% efficient cells.. (again: huh?)
Bugger! I stand corrected, thank you.. at least this seems to add up now as 20W solar power are in reach, but still optimistic without panel gimbals and active attitude control.(Should I drink more coffee or less ?)Thanks corgius!
...While the CAT thruster is firing, the satellite will be aimed with a space qualified control system consisting of small reaction control wheels (four small gyroscopes) and magnet torque rods. Flight qualified solar panels mounted on the outside of the CubeSat will power the CAT and other onboard systems like the radios and computers. All of these core satellite components have flown previously on CubeSats from the University of Michigan....
On the same page it says:'Passive magnetic attitude stabilization from nozzle magnets interacting with Earth's magnetic field.'I think we will have to see. Anyway, for travel out of LEO they need cold gas thrusters to de-saturate the gyros once in a while.Anyway, thanks for pointing it out.
Could the gyros be de-saturated against the main thruster?
Reading Ignition!, mention is made of space storeable propellants that remain liquid at something like -40 or -65 C. A matter of not freezing in the tank in orbit.
Plenty of things do not add up here.. doing some basic math and rocket equations:
Up to
I think we will have to see. Anyway, for travel out of LEO they need cold gas thrusters to de-saturate the gyros once in a while.
Could lower the necessary energy needed to vaporize the water by doping with metallic salts, couldn't they. Could lead to corrosion issues though.