Inflight performance of the Ulysses reaction control systemThe Ulysses spacecraft has been exploring the heliosphere since October 1990 in a six-year polar orbit. Despite varying operational demands, the pressure-fed monopropellant hydrazine reaction control system (RCS) has experienced few problems. The observed anomalies, having minimal operational impact, include plume impingement effects, electrical power overload effects and hydrazine gas generation effects. These anomalies are presented and discussed, with emphasis on the first observation of gas in the hydrazine propellant. The relatively low gas generation rate is attributed to: the use of high purity hydrazine; the configuration of the spin-stabilized spacecraft; the extensive use of titanium alloys; and the efficiency of the thermal control of the propellant tank which maintains a temperature of 21 C.
Document ID
19980019322
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
McGarry, Andrew (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Berry, William (European Space Research and Technology Centre Noordwijk, Netherlands)
Parker, David (MATRA Marconi Space Bristol, United Kingdom)