Development of a Cold Gas Propulsion System for the ... - SSL - MIT

Abstract
The TALARIS (Terrestrial Artificial Lunar And Reduced gravIty Simulator) hopper is a small prototype
flying vehicle developed as an Earth-based testbed for guidance, navigation, and control algorithms that
will be used for robotic exploration of lunar and other planetary surfaces. It has two propulsion systems:
(1) a system of four electric ducted fans to offset a fraction of Earth’s gravity (e.g. 5/6 for lunar
simulations), and (2) a cold gas propulsion system which uses compressed nitrogen propellant to
provide impulsive rocket propulsion, flying in an environment dynamically similar to that of the Moon or
other target body. This thesis focuses on the second of these propulsion systems. It details the practical
development of the cold gas spacecraft emulator (CGSE) system, including initial conception,
requirements definition, computer design and analysis methods, and component selection and
evaluation. System construction and testing are also covered, as are design modifications resulting from
these activities. Details of the system’s integration into the broader TALARIS project are also presented.
Finally, ongoing and future work as well as lessons learned from the development of the CGSE are briefly
discussed.
Thesis Supervisor: Jeffrey A. Hoffman
Title: Professor of the Practice of Aerospace Engineering
Thesis Supervisor: Brett J. Streetman
Title: Senior Member of the Technical Staff, Draper Laboratory
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