Question:- Researchers of which of the following universities have succeeded in testing micropropulsion system that uses liquid water as the propellant?
(a) Purdue University
(b) Oxford University
(c) Yale University
(d) Cambridge University
Answer:- (a)
Related facts:-
- According to news published on August 10, 2017, engineers at Purdue University of the United States have designed and tested a micropropulsion system that uses liquid water as the propellant for orbital maneuvering of small satellites.
- These small satellites are called CubeSats and weigh about 2 Kilogram.
- These cubesats can be used for tasks like imaging and remote-sensing which is currently performed by heavier satellites which are expensive to build and launch.
- A propulsion system allows such tiny satellites to correct their orbit or maintain their altitude, thereby prolonging their operating life in space.
- Pure water is chosen as the propellant since it is green, safe, easy to use and free from the risk of contaminating sensitive instruments by the backflow from plumes as in the case of thrusters using chemical propellants.
Reference:-
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/now-water-used-as-propellant-for-tiny-satellites/articleshow/60001708.cms
https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-08/pu-ncp080717.php