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CubeSat
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==== Cold gas thrusters ==== A [[cold gas thruster]] typically stores [[inert gas]], such as [[nitrogen]], in a [[Pressure vessel|pressurized tank]] and releases the gas through a [[Rocket engine nozzle|nozzle]] to produce thrust. Operation is handled by just a single [[valve]] in most systems, which makes cold gas the simplest useful propulsion technology.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Spacecraft Propulsion β Chemical |url=http://www.sv.vt.edu/classes/ESM4714/Student_Proj/class03/stillwater/prj/background/sp_chemical.htm| website=www.sv.vt.edu| access-date=2015-11-26| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004075951/http://www.sv.vt.edu/classes/ESM4714/Student_Proj/class03/stillwater/prj/background/sp_chemical.htm| archive-date=2015-10-04| url-status=dead}}</ref> Cold gas propulsion systems can be very safe since the gases used do not have to be volatile or [[Corrosive substance|corrosive]], though some systems opt to feature dangerous gases such as [[sulfur dioxide]].<ref>{{Cite web| title=Propulsion Unit for Cubesats (PUC)| url=http://www.cuaerospace.com/Products/SmallSatellitePropulsion/TabId/195/ArtMID/737/ArticleID/169/Propulsion-for-Cubesats-PUC-%E2%80%93-A-Smart-Robust-Propulsion-System-for-CubeSats.aspx| access-date=26 Nov 2015| publisher=CU Aerospace, LLC}}</ref> This ability to use inert gases is highly advantageous to CubeSats as they are usually restricted from hazardous materials. Only low performance can be achieved with them,<ref name=":1" /> preventing high impulse maneuvers even in low mass CubeSats. Due to this low performance, their use in CubeSats for main propulsion is limited and designers choose higher efficiency systems with only minor increases in complexity. Cold gas systems more often see use in CubeSat attitude control.
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