Design and Manufacture of Butane Gas Storage Tank for Micro Size Satellite Propulsion

Todays, the use of small satellites for communication, research and military purposes is expanding. One of the main problems of these satellites is the design and construction of the propulsion system. The propulsion system used in two cases. One is to provide power to leave the earth and the second one is to provide power to stabilize, correct or transfer the orbit of satellite. The main purpose of this article is design and manufacture of a butane storage tank made of stainless steel under 10 bar explosion pressure for a micro size satellite. For this purpose, the required diameter and length of tank determined then thickness of tank calculated based on the theoretical method, according to the ASTM standard. In order to ensure the optimal performance of the tank, finite element simulation performed in ABAQUS software. Simulation done in 12 different cases. Simulation done in several other thicknesses to obtain the minimum working thickness of tank. According to all the analysis, the appropriate thickness was determined to be 1.5 mm. Then, proper propulsion management system designed in zero gravity condition to separate liquid phase from gas. For this purpose, compressed metal meshes used as a porous material. Finally, the tank was manufacture and inspected according to the design.