Külmgaasmooduleid

Külmgaasmooduleid, known in English as cold gas thrusters or cold gas modules, are a type of spacecraft propulsion system. They operate by expelling a pressurized gas through a nozzle to generate thrust. Unlike chemical rockets which involve combustion, cold gas thrusters rely on the physical expansion of a stored propellant. The gas is typically stored in a high-pressure tank. When propellant is needed, a valve is opened, allowing the gas to flow into a combustion chamber or simply through a nozzle. The rapid expansion of the gas as it exits the nozzle creates a reactive force, propelling the spacecraft.

These systems are characterized by their simplicity and reliability. They have no moving parts other than valves and the nozzle itself, which minimizes potential failure points. The propellant is usually an inert gas such as nitrogen, helium, or sometimes even air. Külmgaasmooduleid are not high-performance propulsion systems in terms of thrust or specific impulse, meaning they produce relatively little force and are not very fuel-efficient compared to other rocket types. However, their advantages lie in their low cost, ease of integration, and precise control.

Due to their gentle thrust, külmgaasmooduleid are well-suited for applications requiring fine attitude control and maneuvering. This includes maintaining the orientation of satellites, making small orbital adjustments, or for use in spacecraft where precise positioning is critical, such as in docking procedures. They are also often used as reaction control systems (RCS) for spacecraft. Their simplicity also makes them a good choice for smaller spacecraft or for missions where extreme reliability is paramount and high thrust is not required.