Stone, W.
(1995),
Fast Variable-Amplitude Cold Gas Thruster, AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=909463
(Accessed October 13, 2025)
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Fast Variable-Amplitude Cold Gas Thruster
Published
Author(s)
Abstract
A fast response variable amplitude cold gas thruster is described. A laboratory prototype comprised of a piezoelectric stack and an associated microporcessor-based programmable dc power source, a low-loss mechanical displacement amplifier, a high-pressure spring-loaded axial valve, an integral high-pressure valve seat; an expansion nozzle, and a high-pressure gas supply were constructed and tested. The device is designed to operate as a stand-alone unit with a dedicated onboard microcontroller system and onboard energy storage system. Minimum pulse-width resolution (base-to-base) was shown to be 0.98 ms, with a lag time of 0.37 ms relative to the initiation of the drive pulse. Linear amplitude response was achieved beyond a threshold drive voltage of 80 vdc and was maintained through the limit of testing at 240 vdc.Citation
AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
Volume
32
Issue
No. 2
Pub Type
Journals
Download Paper
Keywords
cold gas thruster, amplitude control, piezoelectric stack, structural dynamics, predictive models, system identification
Citation
Issues
If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].
Created March 1, 1995, Updated February 19, 2017