• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2005

The currently developed propulsion system(PS) is composed of propellant tank, valves, thrusters, interconnecting line assembly and thermal hardwares to prevent propellant freezing in the space environment. Comprehensive engineering analyses in the structure, thermal, flow and plume fields are performed to evaluate main design parameters and to verify their suitabilities concurrently at the design phase. The integrated PS has undergone a series of acceptance tests to verify workmanship, performance, and functionality prior to spacecraft level integration. After all the processes of assembly, integration and test are completed, the PS is integrated with the satellite bus system successfully. At present, the severe environmental tests have been carried out to evaluate functionality performances of satellite bus system. This paper summarizes an overall development process of monopropellant propulsion system for the attitude and orbit control of LEO(Low Earth Orbit) observation satellite from the design engineering up to the integration and test.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.78-87
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• 2021

Understanding the liquid propellant transport phenomena in low gravity is essential for developing Korea Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV) upper-stage for the diversity of space missions. A low-gravity environment can be simulated via the free-fall method on the ground; however, the air drag is inevitable. To reduce air resistance during free fall, air-drag shield is usually adopted. In this study, the free-fall method was performed with an air-drag shield from a 7-m height tower. The acceleration of a falling object was measured and analyzed. Low gravity below 0.01 g was achieved during 1.2-s free fall with the air-drag shield. The minimum gravitational acceleration value at 1.2-s after free fall was ±0.005 g, which is comparable to the value obtained from Bremen drop tower experiments, ±0.002 g. A prolonged free-fall duration may enhance the low-gravity quality during the drop tower experiments.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 2007

In late 1960's, engineers of the engine manufacturer experienced that the distortion of inlet flow of turbofan and turbojet engine could cause the surge in compressor and affect overall engine operational performance, which result in the deterioration of stability of the engine. In this study, block type of inlet distortion simulating device has been developed in order to investigate the effect of inlet distortion on the deterioration of overall engine operational performance. The inlet distortion simulating device was installed in front of engine inlet in order to simulate distortion of inlet flow. The degree of inlet distortion was measured by rakes installed upstream the inlet distortion simulating device and between the engine inlet and inlet distortion simulating device. Before applying the inlet distortion simulating device to real engine, preliminary tests were performed with a simulated engine in order to verify the degree of inlet distortion by the device. Preliminary inlet distortion tests were performed in Altitude Engine Test Facility(AETF) of Korea Aerospace Research Institute(KARI) and results showed that the inlet distortion simulating device could be used in simulating various inlet distortion cases.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2002

A vertical test stand based on launcher propulsion system was constructed and several tests for the determination of cyclogram were carried out. To make an accurate estimation, static and dynamic pressures were measured and analyzed. Especially, static pressure measurements using fast response sensors without extension tubes were used to determine operation sequence more evidently. The standard operation times of final valves were determined in cold flow tests with an engine head, and fire formation time in combustion chamber was checked in an ignition test with an ignitor only. On the basis of these tests, ignition sequence was established and combustion test cyclogram was finally determined. According to combustion test, test results were well matched with the determined cyclogram within 0.05 sec.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.49-55
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• 2013

This paper deals with the flight test of propulsion system of middle size electrically powered UAV (EAV2, Electric Aerial Vehicle 2) which is under development in KARI. EAV2 is low speed endurance type UAV whose wing span is 6.9 m, and weight is 18 kg. The UAV has flown for 22 hours in June of 2012. The flight test result showed that the propulsion system worked well suppling power for any circumstances during the test flight. Each power source worked according to the design purpose.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2007

In this paper, Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method was used as an uncertainty assessment tool for air flow, net thrust measurement. Uuncertainty sources of the net thrust measurement were analyzed, and the probability distribution characteristics of each source were discussed. Detailed MCS methodology was described including the effect of the number of simulation. Compared to the conventional sensitivity coefficient method, the MCS method has advantage in the uncertainty assessment. The MCS is comparatively simple, convenient and accurate, especially for complex or nonlinear measurement modeling equations. The uncertainty assessment result by MCS was compared with that of the conventional sensitivity coefficient method, and each method gave different result. The uncertainties in the net thrust measurement by the MCS and the conventional sensitivity coefficient method were 0.906% and 1.209%, respectively. It was concluded that the first order Taylor expansion in the conventional sensitivity coefficient method and the nonlinearity of model equation caused the difference. It was noted that the uncertainty assessment method should be selected carefully according to the mathematical characteristics of the model equation of the measurement.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2004.03a
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• pp.617-621
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• 2004

Miniaturization of subsystems including propulsion systems is recent trends in spacecraft technology. Small space vehicle propulsion is not only a technological challenge of a scaling system down, but also a combination of fundamental flow/combustion constraints. In this paper, physical constraints of micronozzle for cold gas micro-thruster are reviewed and discussed. Method to measure small thrust are also described.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.437-441
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• 2008

A non-toxic Post Boost Stage(PBS) with LOX/Ethanol engine was successfully demonstrated at the Tomioka Facility of IHI Aerospace. IHI Aerospace has researched and developed the nontoxic propulsion systems and the LOX/Ethanol is one of the most attractive non-toxic bipropellant candidates. ${\rho}ISP$ of LOX/Ethanol is higher than ${\rho}ISP$ of the other non-toxic bipropellants as LOX/HC or $LOX/LH_2$. The authors studied the combustion characteristics of LOX/Ethanol propellant with the engine designed for LOX/LNG propellant. Also the injector with a built-in igniter was designed and examined its feasibility, ignition and combustion characteristics. We have demonstrated Post Boost Stage with future LOX/Ethanol engines. This propulsion system is targeted for expandable vehicle upper stage to accelerate delta-V to reach the required orbit. PBS Demonstration Model is designed as a test stand to evaluate feed system for integrated propulsion system and also to demonstrate Integrated Vehicle Health Management(IVHM) technique using local valve control and also valve behavior-monitoring capability.

• Polymer Science and Technology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 1992

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.8
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• pp.695-701
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• 2016

Spacecraft propulsion system is a kind of rocket engine that has been developed from the end of 1950s for attitude control and orbit maintenance of satellite. Since the spacecraft propulsion system has to be used for a relatively long time, therefore, stability of propellant and life of thruster could be very important factor for propulsion system design. Recently, green propellant propulsion and all electrical propulsion system have became very important issue, and we also need a development according to well organized plan. In this paper, we will introduce the development status, key technologies and development prospect of spacecraft propulsion system.