Cold gas thruster
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A cold gas thruster is a rocket engine/thruster that uses a (typically inert) gas as the reaction mass.
A cold gas thruster usually simply consists of a pressurised tank containing gas, a valve to control its release and a nozzle, and plumbing connecting them.
Because the gas is usually unheated, speed at the throat is low and very low performance is achieved; in a vacuum with nitrogen gas 68 seconds can be achieved.[1]
Cold gas thrusters are mostly useful for attitude jets, and are employed chiefly for simplicity and reliability.
[edit] See also
- Rocket engine
- monopropellant rocket
- Quad - used cold gas thrusters
