Small Chemical Thrusters

The present thesis systematically introduces small and micro-thruster development at home and abroad. By analyzing we consider that small chemical thruster has many characteristics such as simple structure, low mass and high thrust. Compared with the different measurement system, force sensor is chosen for the thrust-force testing in this experiment. According to the characteristic of the thrust, the proper sensor and igniters are selected. At the same time, the small chemical thruster prototype and its measurement system which were prepared for the experiment investigation should be designed.After fixing the igniter, loading propellant and installing testing system, some experiment has been done. Then the impulse and ratio impulse of the small chemical thruster is got. It is 3.677×10^-2 N·s and 75.04s. Its maximum thrust is 554N. The small chemical thruster has the characters like short impulse and high thrust force. The film can increase the thrust force at the same mass of propellant, however it decrease the combustion time. So it is hard to say that the impulse of small chemical propellant is increased. The shapes of propellant can influent the process of ignition. The powered propellant is more ignitable. At last, the curve of this thruster is analyzed and some suggestions for the further investigation were made.