Design of a Cost-Effective Hydrogen Peroxide Propulsion System for CubeSat Applications

As CubeSats prove their ability to capture images and collect data, space operators plan to send the miniature spacecraft on increasingly complex missions, many of which require propulsion capabilities. The demand for providing CubeSats with a propulsion system is increasing parallel to their growing market and applications. The development and commercialization of miniature, affordable and performing propulsion systems represent a pivotal point in the current small satellite sector. In the frame of the CubeSat HTP Innovative Propulsion System (CHIPS) project, the present thesis objective is to design a cost-effective CubeSat propulsion system with competitive performance that satisfies the requirements of most missions in terms of cost, mass, power, volume and performance. The CHIPS unit is a 0.5-N class monopropellant propulsion module that uses 98% wt. hydrogen peroxide as the propellant. Hydrogen peroxide is a green propellant offering moderate propulsive performance but increased safety, reliability and availability and significantly reduced recurring costs, making it a promising pioneer for green rocketry. Additionally, an original 1U modular tank for CubeSat applications has been designed from scratch to be integrated within the propulsion system. The novel cubic tank can store about 0.7 kg of hydrogen peroxide, enhancing the propulsion system propulsive capabilities to be competitive against other state-of-the-art green monopropellant systems. Thanks to its form factor, the designed tank can be considered as a standalone product to be employed on any CubeSat to boost the onboard propulsion unit capabilities. The resulting propulsion system can provide CubeSats with, among others, station-keeping, orbit correction manoeuvres, collision avoidance, orbit insertion, deorbiting, and formation flying capabilities. Irrespective of the specific needs of the project, CHIPS aims to add value to CubeSats, further expanding their applications and mission capabilities