SBIR Phase I: ThermaSat - A Solar Thermal CubeSat Propulsion System

这一小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响解决了空间小型低成本卫星具有机载推进能力的需求。小型卫星的出现为企业家和研究人员改善电信、监测气候模式和开展其他活动开辟了空间。不幸的是，这些小卫星中的许多没有在太空中机动的方法，因此它们的能力有限。卫星推进使小型卫星能够实现三个主要目标。首先，它们可以在不改变发射航天器方向的情况下到达自己喜欢的轨道。其次，它们可以对轨道进行多年的微小调整，确保它们不会过早地重返大气层。第三，在使命结束时，它们可以自行脱离轨道，避免成为危险的空间碎片。未来的卫星基础设施将需要星载推进系统。通过现在开发这项技术，我们可以克服太空探索的一个主要障碍，帮助人类向恒星扩张。小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目是开发一种绿色、廉价、有效的小卫星推进系统。为CubeSats和其他小型航天器配备机载推进器将大大提高其技术能力，并确保它们安全部署、运行和离轨。该系统通过选择性地过滤阳光来限制辐射热排放，从而将水加热到高温。高温蒸汽通过喷嘴排出，可高效控制卫星。这项工作的主要目标将是实验和计算模型的光学系统的性能。其他目标将是验证热和结构系统是否适合地面发射和太空操作。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project addresses the need for small, low-cost satellites in space to have on-board propulsion capabilities. The advent of small satellites is opening space to entrepreneurs and researchers to improve telecommunications, monitor climate patterns, and conduct other activities. Unfortunately, many of these small satellites have no method of maneuvering in space, and so their capabilities are limited. Satellite propulsion allows for small satellites to achieve three major goals. First, they can reach their preferred orbit without diverting the launching spacecraft. Second, they can make minor adjustments to their orbits for many years, ensuring they do not re-enter the atmosphere prematurely. And third, at the end of the mission they can de-orbit themselves and avoid becoming dangerous space debris. An onboard propulsion system will be necessary for the satellite infrastructure of the future. By developing this technology now, we can overcome a major obstacle in space exploration and assist humanity in expanding to the stars. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project is to develop a green, inexpensive, and effective small satellite propulsion system. Equipping CubeSats and other small spacecraft with onboard propulsion will drastically improve their technological capabilities and ensure they deploy, function, and de-orbit safely. The system functions by selectively filtering sunlight to heat water to high temperatures by limiting radiative heat emissions. The high-temperature steam is exhausted through a nozzle and can control the satellite with high efficiency. The major goal of this effort will be to experimentally and computationally model optical system performance. Other goals will be to validate that the thermal and structural systems are suitable for ground launch and operation in space.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.