AQT-D

AQT-D (Aqua Thruster-Demonstrator) is a nanosatellite project of the University of Tokyo (UT) Space Propulsion Laboratory with the purpose of testing water-fueled propulsion. The satellite is a CubeSat of 3U size; 1U is occupied by the propulsion system, while the remaining 2U is for the spacecraft bus.[1] AQT-D was carried to space inside the pressurized section of Kounotori 8, a Japanese resupply vehicle for the International Space Station (ISS).[2] Kounotori 8 was launched on 24 September 2019. After arriving at the ISS, AQT-D was deployed to space on 20 November 2019 using the JEMRMS robotic arm at the space station's Kibō laboratory module.[3]

The AQT-D project is led by Jun Asakawa of the University of Tokyo.[4]

Spacecraft

AQT-D's spacecraft bus is based on Tasuki (TRICOM-1R), a previous satellite developed by the University of Tokyo and launched in 2017.[1] The satellite is equipped with antennas for store and forward communication.[1]

Propulsion
Water thrustersUnit/performance
PropellantWater
Thrust1 of 4 mN
Specific impulse>70 seconds
Water mass< 0.4 kg

AQT-D's propulsion system, called AQUARIUS-1U (Aqua Resistojet Propulsion System-1U), consists of five water thrusters. A single delta-v thruster produces 4.0 mN, and four reaction control thrusters 1.0 mN, for attitude control.[1][5] The spacecraft carries less than 0.4 kg of water.[5] The delta-v thruster produces a specific impulse (Isp) of 70 seconds, and a maximum 4.0 mN of thrust, which is dependent on available power.[5] AQUARIUS-1U's design was based on the planned deep space probe EQUULEUS's propulsion system.[5] According to the University of Tokyo, AQT-D was the first ISS-deployed satellite to have water-based propulsion.[1][5] While satellites deployed from the ISS typically have a short lifetime owing to the station's low altitude, satellites equipped with a propulsion system like AQT-D may potentially remain in orbit for an extended period of time.[5]

References
  1. "AQT-D: CubeSat Demonstration of a Water Propulsion System Deployed from ISS". Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  2. Werner, Debra (27 August 2019). "Water propulsion technologies picking up steam". SpaceNews. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  3. 「きぼう」から超小型衛星3機放出に成功！ (in Japanese). JAXA. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  4. "Home | AQT-D: AQUA Thruster-Demonstrator". マイサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  5. AQT-D: Demonstration of the Water Resistojet Propulsion System by the ISS-Deployed CubeSat (PDF). Small Satellite Conference. University of Tokyo. 2019.
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