公开(公告)号：US10753346B1

公开(公告)日：2020-08-25

申请号：US15679311

申请日：2017-08-17

Applicant: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Inventor： Daniel R. Sherman ,  Edward Lukas ,  Brandon Quon ,  Kurt Shaffer ,  Jonathan H. Dang ,  Matthew J. Pirih

IPC: F03H1/00 ,  B64G1/40 ,  B64G1/26 ,  H05H1/46

Abstract: A microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) and its control system is disclosed and claimed. The MET control system uses a dielectric resonator oscillator (DRO) in series with a GaN MMIC-based Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) to generate microwave energy, transfer it to a thrust chamber, and heat a propellant that exits a nozzle, providing thrust. The control system uses feedback to provide autonomous control of the MET. A wide variety of propellants may be used, including, for example, hydrazine, ammonia, and water.