Korean team evaluates nitrous oxide fuel blends for VLEO satellites

(SpaceEnergy) Hanbat National University researchers have evaluated nitrous oxide fuel blend propulsion as a lower-toxicity alternative to hydrazine for multi-altitude Earth observation satellites.

The South Korean team compared hydrazine and nitrous oxide fuel blend (NOFB) propulsion architectures by estimating propellant mass, tank volume and overall system mass for Earth observation missions.

The study targets low Earth orbit and very low Earth orbit (VLEO), where increased atmospheric drag requires sustained propulsion for orbit maintenance.

The researchers said NOFB systems combine nitrous oxide oxidiser with fuel and offer self-pressurisation, lower toxicity and specific impulse comparable with hydrazine, potentially eliminating the separate pressurant tank required by conventional hydrazine systems.

The work is distinct from the Hanbat University and Perigee Aerospace 15N nitrous oxide-ethane thruster testing previously reported by SpaceEnergy. This study focuses on system-level feasibility for multi-altitude satellite missions rather than experimental thruster performance.

The paper became publicly available through the Small Satellite Conference repository on 22 August and was scheduled for presentation in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 24 August.