Importance

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Abstract

A satellite having a cooling system to remove heat from an electric rocket engine using a working fluid. The cooling system can include a pump that circulates working fluid along a cooling loop between the rocket engine and a radiator. The cooling system can also utilize thermoacoustic, Stirling refrigeration, and/or heat pipe techniques. One or more reservoirs can be provided to store the working fluid, and in some forms a secondary reservoir can be provided to aid in management of a center of mass of the satellite. A fluid reaction loop can be provided in which working fluid is accelerated to impart a torque on the satellite. In some forms, the working fluid can be utilized as both a coolant and a propellant for the rocket engine. The electric rocket thruster can also include one or more internal pathways for the conveyance of working fluid.

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First Claim