A new thruster for satellites is being designed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in conjunction with the Swedish Space Corporation.
It will be powered by an AND-based liquid mono propellant, which will be safer than the satellite’s current hydrazine fuel.
Hydrazine, though a high-performing storable propellant with hypergolic characteristics, is also highly toxic and corrosive.
ESA Propulsion Engineering section head Mark Ford said that ADN had 30% better performance than hydrazine and was much less toxic.
“Unlike hydrazine, it is safe to transport by aircraft and can be worked with in shirt sleeves rather than protective suits,” he said.
The new fuel will reduce the risks associated with handling hydrazine and lower the cost of missions. It will also allow the future shipping of satellites from factories with full fuel tanks.
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By GlobalDataESA will test the high-performance green propellant (HPGP) 1 N motor system as a technology demonstration aboard Sweden’s Prisma satellite scheduled for launch later in 2010.
