DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF WATER RESISTOJET PROTOTYPES FOR CUBESATS

The growing number of satellites and space debris in low Earth orbit necessitates enhanced on-board capabilities for collision avoidance, orbital maneuvering, and de-orbiting. Consequently, the operational lifespan of SmallSats and CubeSats can be significantly extended by integrating a propulsion system. This study investigates a water-based resistojet, a simple, scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly electrothermal thruster that operates across various propellant phases. Focusing on liquid water as the propellant, the objective was to develop a first prototype capable of providing a high total impulse within the strict volume constraints of a CubeSat. The design, development, and experimental testing of this small, water-propelled resistojet are reported, with tests conducted in both atmospheric and vacuum environments under different operating conditions. The experiments yielded promising results concerning temperature characterization, water vaporization, and repeatability. However, they also identified specific areas for improvement, particularly in thermal inertia and thrust measurements.