Special Seminar: “Development of a Multimode Chemical-Electric Propulsion System for Small Satellites”

Abstract:

Multimode propulsion is an emerging spacecraft technology that is defined by the integration of two or more propulsive modes into a single spacecraft propulsion system. Using a single, shared propellant to accomplish both high-thrust chemical and high-specific impulse electric propulsion would unlock unprecedented flexibility, adaptability, and resiliency for space missions and enable new missions that cannot be accomplished by single mode propulsion. Efforts to realize such a system have been elusive and, appropriately, realization of such a system has been dubbed the ‘holy grail’ of space propulsion. Dr. Berg will present an overview of multimode propulsion, its benefits, and the current state-of-the-art as well as past and present efforts to develop the Multimode Integrated Monopropellant Electrospray (MIME) propulsion system for small satellite applications. The MIME system utilizes a single, non-toxic ionic liquid monopropellant that can be decomposed for high-performance monopropellant propulsion or electrosprayed for high-specific impulse electric propulsion. The propellant selection and design methodology will be outlined along with the synthesis and fundamental experiments to characterize its capability in both propulsive modes. Finally, recent efforts that have resulted in the demonstration of a unified thruster will be presented.

Bio:

Steven Berg is the CEO and co-founder of Froberg Aerospace, LLC, a company focused on the development of multimode spacecraft propulsion systems for small satellites. Dr. Berg earned his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology for his work in developing multimode capable ionic liquid propellants. As CEO of Froberg Aerospace, he has led development of the first multimode system to use the same propellant and same thruster. He is also a part-time lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University. Prior to founding Froberg Aerospace, he was a propulsion and test engineer at SpaceX.