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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Microthruster Experimental Analysis

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>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.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Year
2007

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Richards, Amy Denise
Contributors dc:contributor
  • R.R. Mankbadi
  • David J. Sypeck
  • L.L. Narayanaswami

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/174
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:db-theses-1248

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Richards, Amy Denise. Microthruster Experimental Analysis. Thesis - Open Access thesis, 2007. https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/174