Bipropellant
Thrusters

4 N Model S4

10 N Model S10 - 13
10 N Model S10 - 18
10 N Model S10 - 23
10 N Details

22 N Model S22 - 2

200 N Model ATV

400 N Model S400-10
400 N Model S400-12
400 N Details

500 N Model EAM
500 N Details

22 N Bipropellant Thruster Model No S22-02

Bipropellant Thrusters and Apogee Motors

Thrusters and apogee motors for satellites, space probes, spacecraft and orbital transfer vehicles.

For over 30 years, bipropellant thrusters from Astrium Lampoldshausen have been used for a diversity of mission applications, including attitude, trajectory, manoeuvering and orbit control of large satellites and spacecraft, deep space probes and apogee orbit injection of Geostationary satellites.

Thrust Range
Bipropellant thrusters range from 4 N to 400 N thrust. A new, high performance 500 N model will soon be available. This model is ITAR free and known as the European Apogee Motor, designed for large GTO satellites and a range of other missions

The 'work horse' thrusters specified for most applications are the 10 N and 400 N models. Thrusters up to 22 N are designed for both long term steady state and pulse mode operation.

The 400 N thrusters are designed for long term steady state operation over a wide operating pressure range in pressure regulated mode and are mainly specified for apogee boost applications.

Our complete range is as follows

Materials and Durability
Our complete range of bipropellant thrusters have their combustion chamber and nozzle throat manufactured from a heat and oxidation resistant platinum alloy. This enables longer life and higher operating temperatures to maximise thruster performance. In addition, the use of this alloy avoids the need for surface coatings. The uncoated surfaces are absolutely resistant against oxidation and are invulnerable to the use of test sensors and pulse mode cycling.

Systems Flow Rate Calibration
All bipropellant thrusters are provided with trimming orifices upstream of the propellant control valves. This feature allows for individual adjustment of the propellant flow rate according to the systems design pressure.

Propellant Control Valve
Except for the S10-23 thruster and the 500N EAM, all of our bipropellant thrusters are equipped with control valves supplied by our long-standing partner MOOG, East Aurora, USA.

Thruster Variants
Each bipropellant thruster model is available in at least two variant types to more closely match the specified application and customer requirements.

Example 1:

The 10 N bipropellant thruster is available with two types of flow control valve:

a single seat, monostable, torque motor valve, or
a dual seat valve, which is a combined unit of two single seat torque motor valves configured in series by way of an upstream latch valve and a downstream monostable valve.

Both of the above thruster types have identical performance.

Example 2:

The 400 N bipropellant thruster has two models. Model S400 - 13 is equipped with a larger nozzle and therefore operates at 3 to 4 sec higher Isp than model S400 - 12. Both models are available off the shelf.

Fulfilment of Requirements
Our bipropellant engines and thrusters are designed and tailored to fulfil all the requirements for orbital satellites or deep space probes, including orbit injection and all manoeuvres required to maintain a stable orbit and attitude throughout the spacecraft's operating service life.

Support structure with 400 N engine & heat shield

Hardware Supply
We supply from thruster component level and thrusters through to heat shields, support structure kits and complete propulsion systems for satellites, spacecraft, orbital platforms, interplanetary probes, deep space missions and man-rated systems.

Thruster Availability
We produce over 200 thrusters per year for international spacecraft and satellite propulsion systems. Thrusters in high demand are economically produced on a serial like production and are therefore readily available, subject to customer specific requirements. Thrusters with less demand are made to order. The current availability status is provided for each bipropellant thruster within the range, shown below:

4 N BIPROPELLANT THRUSTER Model S4

Characteristics Propellants MON / MMH Thrust vac 4 N Power 6 kW 8 hp Isp vac 284.9 sec Chamber pressure 7 bar Overall length Note 1 Nozzle diameter Note 1 Mass Note 1   Note 1. These characteristics will vary according to the customisation requirements Status: Ready for customisation.

10 N BIPROPELLANT THRUSTER Models S10 -13, S10 - 18 and S10 - 23

Model No S10 - 13 with Single Seat MOOG Valve Model No S10 - 18 with Dual Seat MOOG Valve Model No S10 - 23 with Dual Seat Astrium Valve   More detailed information, on each of the above models, including operating characteristics, dimensions and interfaces can be found on the 10 Bipropellant Thruster page. Heritage Status: Flight Proven.

22 N BIPROPELLANT THRUSTER Model S22 - 02

Characteristics Propellants MON / MMH Thrust vac 22 N Power 31 kW 42 hp Isp vac 290 sec Chamber pressure 9 bar Overall length 212 mm Nozzle diameter 55 mm Mass 650 g       Status: Ready for customisation.

400 N BIPROPELLANT ENGINE Model S400 - 10

Characteristics Propellants MON / MMH Thrust vac 400 N Power 595 kW 810 hp Isp vac 303 sec Chamber pressure 7 bar Overall length 531 mm Nozzle diameter 248 mm Mass 2.8 kg     Heritage Status: Superseded by Model S400 - 20 and its variants S400 - 12 and S400 - 15 shown below.

400 N BIPROPELLANT ENGINE Models S400-12 and S400-15

Characteristics   S400 - 12 S400 - 15 Propellants - Fuel - Oxidiser MMH N2O4, MON-1, MON-3 Thrust, Nominal 420 N 425 N Isp, Nominal 318 s 321 s Chamber pressure 10 bar Overall length 503 mm 669 mm Nozzle diameter 244 mm 292 mm Mass 3.60 kg 4.30 kg     More Details Heritage Status: Readily Available

500 N EUROPEAN APOGEE MOTOR

Characteristics Propellants - Fuel - Oxidiser MMH N2O4, MON-1, MON-3 Thrust, Nominal 500 +/- 20N Isp, Nominal >/= 325 sec Chamber pressure 10 bar Overall length 803 mm Nozzle diameter 382 mm Mass < 5 kg       More Details Status: Available in 2008

Supporting Services
In support of our products and customers, the Lampoldshausen Centre is able to offer every range of supporting service that you would expect from us, including:

Design, analysis, modelling, manufacturing, AIT of deep space and orbital propulsion systems.
Consultancy: systems, manufacturing, analysis, integration, testing, test stand design etc.
Analysis, modelling, propulsion system simulation and performance prediction.
Thruster design, development, manufacture and production.
Test facilities and test support.
Hot fire testing and all associated activities within the same site.
Test stand and test cell design, maintenance.
Ground support equipment.
Propellant supply and delivery throughout the world.
Complete launch site support.
Safety equipment.

Technical Brochure
A comprehensive brochure is available on eah of our 'off-the-shelf' bipropellant thrusters and apogee engines. Here, you will find more detailed technical information, including:

Detailed characteristics.
Thruster operating range as a function of propellant inlet pressures.
Thermal characteristics as a function of distance from nozzle throat.
Steady state performance.
Pulse mode performance diagrams.
Vibration load diagrams: Random and Sinusoidal vibration, shock spectrum.
Structural interfaces and dimensioning

Contact for Further Information