Research and Development Activities on JAXA’s Spacecraft Propulsion

• Published in: Chemical Rocket Propulsion pp. 489 - 517
• Main Authors: Fujii, Go, Ikeda, Hirohide
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 2017
• Series: Springer Aerospace Technology
• Subjects: Composite propellant tank; Hydrazine; Low toxic; MON-3; Monopropellant thruster
• ISBN: 9783319277462; 3319277464
• ISSN: 1869-1730; 1869-1749
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27748-6_20

This chapter will provide recent activities and plans for spacecraft in JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). In these years, JAXA launched many spacecraft, such as earth observation satellites, geostationary satellites, and HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle). The details of propulsion system of these spacecrafts are introduced. Also several topics of research activities are introduced. Recent activities in JAXA spacecraft propulsion have been focused on improvement of the performance and reliability of propulsion systems. In this chapter, three representative topics are introduced: (1) development of long life and high-reliability 1 N and 4 N monopropellant thrusters, (2) development of new satellite composite propellant tank, and (3) research of high-performance and low-toxic propellants. These development and research activities contribute to successful spacecraft mission. Almost all missions involving propulsion systems on spacecraft have recently succeeded. From these experiments, the world’s leading technologies were developed in JAXA, such as the highest specific impulse bipropellant apogee kick engine and the longest life 1 N and 4 N thrusters. And the research and development on propulsion systems, including verification studies to support spacecraft projects and investigations on recent technologies, are now going for future novel missions.