Solid propellant-based space propulsion device

Abstract

Disclosed is a space propulsion device capable of continuous operation using a solid propellant having high density and excellent handleability. The solid propellant-based space propulsion device comprises solid-propellant support means for supporting a solid propellant, a solid-propellant attachment surface for permitting the solid propellant to be attached thereon, solid-propellant feed means for feeding the solid propellant to an attachment position on the solid-propellant attachment surface, adhesion-energy supply means for heatingly melting or sublimating the solid propellant in the attachment position to adherently attach the solid propellant onto the solid-propellant attachment surface, solid-propellant transfer means for transferring the solid propellant to a release position for releasing the solid propellant, and propulsive-energy supply means for energizing the transferred solid propellant to release the solid propellant from the solid-propellant attachment surface at the release position, as a propulsive jet, while accelerating the solid propellant in a direction approximately perpendicular to the solid-propellant attachment surface. The solid-propellant transfer means is designed to move the solid-propellant attachment surface in such a manner that a area of the solid-propellant attachment surface for adherently holding the solid propellant is returned to a position adjacent to an end of the solid propellant in a repetitive manner.