Data-Driven Predictive Modeling of Small Spacecraft Electric Propulsion Systems

The electrospray thruster array is a potentially revolutionizing technology that could fill the current capability gap that exists in propulsion for small spacecraft. This device in theory can offer unprecedentedly high efficiency and specific impulse at the limited power levels (< 10 W) available on small payloads. These promising advantages have motivated a number of recent experimental efforts both domestically and abroad to develop this technology. The need to further evaluate and refine these proposed concepts for electrospray arrays in turn has given rise to a growing demand for more sophisticated engineering design tools. In particular, computational models are critical to help address major challenges in the fabrication and lifetime qualification of these microscale devices. Our effort builds on the framework of an existing numerical tool, the Electrospray Propulsion Engineering Toolkit (ESPET) developed by Spectral Sciences Inc, in several novel ways. By leveraging a combination of physics-based modeling, data-driven regression, and rigorous uncertainty quantification, we propose to build a numerical capability that will allow users to input their proposed thruster geometry and generate predictions for performance, lifetime, and potential failure modes. The goal is that this toolkit will be a key enabler for ultimately transitioning electrospray thruster arrays to flight.

This toolkit has the potential to be a key enabler for ultimately transitioning electrospray thruster arrays to flight.

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