Cold gas thruster

<p>A cold gas thruster (or a cold gas propulsion system) is a type of <a href="/facts/Rocket_engine/XT5gaFAb">rocket engine</a> which uses the expansion of a (typically inert) pressurized <a href="/facts/Gas/hVVAoodV">gas</a> to generate <a href="/facts/Thrust/EM04CqV7">thrust</a>. As opposed to traditional rocket engines, a cold gas thruster does not house any combustion and therefore has lower thrust and <a href="/facts/Specific_impulse/JKGgw2I4">efficiency</a> compared to conventional <a href="/facts/Monopropellant/nf8KGzDj">monopropellant</a> and <a href="/facts/Liquid-propellant_rocket/TAonrVDn">bipropellant</a> rocket engines. Cold gas thrusters have been referred to as the "simplest manifestation of a rocket engine" because their design consists only of a fuel tank, a regulating valve, a propelling nozzle, and the little required plumbing. They are the cheapest, simplest, and most reliable propulsion systems available for orbital maintenance, maneuvering and <a href="/facts/Spacecraft_attitude_control/hE6aMu26">attitude control</a>. 
</p><p>Cold gas thrusters are predominantly used to provide stabilization for smaller space missions which require contaminant-free operation. Specifically, <a href="/facts/CubeSat/jL2IpYKd">CubeSat</a> propulsion system development has been predominantly focused on cold gas systems because CubeSats have strict regulations against <a href="/facts/Pyrotechnic_valves/tAgYWghD">pyrotechnics</a> and hazardous materials.
</p>

Cold gas thruster open-in-new

Cold gas thruster