• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2004.03a
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• pp.320-324
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• 2004

Laser Propulsion is a device that generates thrust using laser energy. Laser-driven In-Tube Accelerator (LITA) has been developed at Tohoku University. LITA is a laser propulsion system that accelerates an object not in an open air but in a tube. Experiments of vertical launching and pressure measurement on the tube wall were carried out and in order to observe the initial state of plasma and blast wave, the visualization experiment was carried out using the shadowgraph method. In this study, the time variation of pressure on the tube wall is numerically simulated solving Euler equation. In order to model the laser energy, heat source function added to the frozen flow Euler equation. Plasma size from the shadowgraph images was used for the initial condition of laser energy input. For verification of the modeling, these results were compared with the previous experimental and numerical results. From these verifications, an analysis of LITA performance will be investigated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.107-113
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• 2000

Design configuration and performance requirements for KOMPSAT-1 propulsion system were described. Operational results of the propulsion system obtained through the satellite Launch and Early Operation Phase were scrutinized. Performance characteristics of the thrusters which are employed for spacecraft attitude control and the corresponding propellant depletion rate were analysed according to satellite operation modes. Additionally, propellant leakproof and thermal control capability were checked out from the view point of system verification. Propellant depletion rates calculated by PVT method in $\Delta$V maneuvering and each attitude control mode produce the very meaningful results for the prediction of total propellant consumption up to the end of satellite mission life.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2021

In the current study, the numerical method was established to predict the performance of a solid rocket motor with two kinds of propellants. On the basis of a numerical study, an internal ballistics analysis code was developed. To verify the internal ballistics analysis code two solid rocket motors were manufactured and tested. The accuracy and applicability of the internal ballistics code for dual-propellant solid rocket motor were verified by comparing the experimental results with the numerical calculation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.321-325
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• 2010

Supersonic ejectors are simple mechanical components, which generally perform mixing and/or recompression of two fluid streams. Ejectors have found many applications in engineering. In aerospace engineering, they are used for altitude testing of a propulsion system by reducing the pressure of a test chamber. It is composed of three major sections: a vacuum test chamber, a propulsive nozzle, and a supersonic exhaust diffuser. This paper aims at the improvement of ejector-diffuser performance by focusing attention on reducing exhaust back flow into the test chamber, since alteration of the backflow or recirculation pattern appears as one of the potential means of significantly improving low supersonic ejector-diffuser performance. The simplest backflow-reduction device was an orifice plate at the duct inlet, which would pass the jet and entrained fluid but impede the movement of fluid upstream along the wall. Results clearly showed that the performance of ejector-diffuser system was improved for certain a range of system pressure ratios, whereas the orifice plate was detrimental to the ejector performance for higher pressure ratios. It is also found that there is no change in the performance of diffuser with orifice at its inlet, in terms of its pressure recovery. Hence an appropriately sized orifice system should produce considerable improvement in the ejector-diffuser performance in the intended range of pressure ratios.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.86-100
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• 2022

In this paper, the concept and characteristics of the nuclear propulsion system were introduced and the state of the art for the nuclear-powered space propulsion in abroad were summarized. Since uranium used in nuclear propulsion has a very high energy density per unit mass, it has exceptional specific impulse performance compared to the existing chemical propulsion method and can reduce the amount of fuel loaded, thereby having advantage for long-distance exploration. For this reason, advanced countries in space development are recently spurring to the research of nuclear propulsion technology, and it is judged that the development of a propulsion engine using nuclear power is absolutely necessary in order to gain an competitive edge on the space development.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.373-380
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• 2018

The small coastal vessel registered in Korea, small coastal vessels with a gross tonnage of 10 tons or less account for 94.6 % and among them, aged vessels over 16 years age indicate 40.6 %. In order to reduce GHG emissions from small coast vessels, discussions are underway to replace aging ships' propulsion units with eco - friendly propulsion facilities, and the electric propulsion ship is emerging as one of the measures. The electric propulsion system using the DFE rectifier, which was applied in the conventional large commercial vessel, was effective in reducing the harmonics and improving the DC output voltage of the DC link stage, but it occupied a large volume and caused an increase in the overall system price. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an electric propulsion system using AFE rectifier with a small volume of system that can be applied to a small coastal vessel. In order to analyze the effectiveness of the overall system, the load profile was applied to obtain accurate and rapid speed tracking performance of the propulsion motor affected by the speed load. In addition, the power factor and total harmonic distortion factor of the voltage and current on the improved power output side are derived through simulation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• v.y2005m4
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• pp.147-150
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• 2005

Space launch vehicles mainly use the liquid-propellant propulsion system which has easy thrust control ability and high specific impulse for that the payload like satellite and spacecraft should be entered into exact orbit. However, the liquid-propellant propulsion system is very difficult to develop because it is more complicate than the solid rocket propulsion system and demands very high technology. In space launch vehicle developing procedure the system design level is very important thing to reduce cost, shorten schedule, and improve the performance. The system design process was introduced for selecting the best liquid-propellant propulsion system on this paper.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.427-442
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• 2019

Small satellites represent an emerging opportunity to realize a wide range of space missions at lower cost and faster delivery, compared to traditional spacecraft. However, small platforms, such as CubeSats, shall increase their actual capabilities. Miniaturized electric propulsion systems can provide the satellite with the key capability of moving in space. The level of readiness of miniaturized electric propulsion systems is low although many concepts have been developed. The present research intends to build a flexible test platform for the assessment of selected small propulsion systems in relevant environment at laboratory level. Main goal of the research is to analyze the mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and chemical interactions of propulsion systems with the modern CubeSat-technology and to assess the performance of the integrated platform. The test platform is a 6U CubeSat hosting electric propulsion systems, providing mechanical, electrical and data interfaces, able to handle a variety of electric propulsion systems, thanks to the ability to regulate and distribute electric power, to exchange data according to several protocols, and to provide different mechanical layouts. The test platform is ready to start the first verification campaign. The paper describes the detailed design of the platform and the main results of the AIV activities.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.216-223
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• 2024

Electric propulsion systems, including electrothermal, electrostatic, and electromagnetic thrusters, are promising systems for producing thrust from satellites. These systems generally operate under vacuum plasma conditions and exhibit high specific impulses and thrust-to-weight ratios. Despite their high efficiencies, electric propulsion systems are susceptible to performance variations due to physical factors such as plasma instabilities, which require an accurate diagnosis of their status during operation. In this study, we review various measurement systems adopted to diagnose electric propulsion systems operating under vacuum conditions. Specifically, we review electrical, optical, and other methods that can directly or indirectly measure the status of a thruster, with a particular focus on Hall effect thrusters. The system configurations and fundamental mechanisms of the different measurement systems are described based on case studies of the diagnosis of propulsion systems. We anticipate that this study will contribute to the efficient development and safe operation of electric propulsion systems for use in artificial satellites.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.41-47
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• 2020

This study aims to develop eco-friendly propellant that reduce the generation of harmful gases such as HCl gas and increase the emmision of nitrogen gas emissions. For this purpose, GUDN(N-Guanylurea dinitramide) and BTATz(3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine), which are low carbon high nitrogen materials, were used instead of AP(Ammonium Perchlorate) and Al(Aluminium), which are gernerally used in solid propellant. The prepared propellants were analyzed for mechanical properties and combustion characteristics, performance and AGARD smoke classification. Compared with AP/Al propellant, GUDN/BTATz propellant tended to decrease mechanical and combustion rate. Also, as a result of the static test after the production of the 4-inch motor, the performance of combustion of the GUDN/BTATz propellant decreased, but it was confirmed that the secondary smoke was improved by reducing harmful gases such as HCl gas.