Date of Award
Summer 2007
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Degree Name
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Department
Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
Dr. Reda Mankbadi
Committee Member
Dr. David Sypeck
Committee Member
Dr. Laksh Narayanaswami
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to design an experimental apparatus that could accurately test and measure the thrust efficiency of conical shaped microthrusters with varying divergence half angles. The experimental apparatus measured the thrust of micronozzles for various feed pressures in vacuum (to duplicate in space operation) as well as ambient. Calibration experiments confirmed the force measurement accuracy of the setup while gas thrust experiments were used to help determine the most efficient divergence half angle. Thrust results were compared to findings from two separate scientific studies that sought to optimize microthruster nozzles using CFD software.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Richards, Amy Denise, "Microthruster Experimental Analysis" (2007). Master's Theses - Daytona Beach. 174.
https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/174
