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Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods / JOSEFF STURROCK

Swansea University Author: JOSEFF STURROCK

  • E-Thesis under embargo until: 15th March 2031

DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.71977

Abstract

This research project focuses on developing a novel class of electric propulsion for spacecraft.The driving force behind the propulsion system’s thrust is ferromagnetic attraction. A coilgun type system was developed, to accelerate microscopic pieces of iron to high velocities. This creates a reacti...

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Published: Swansea 2026
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
Supervisor: Zoran J., Ben E.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71977
first_indexed 2026-05-21T14:45:22Z
last_indexed 2026-05-23T06:01:35Z
id cronfa71977
recordtype RisThesis
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spelling 2026-05-21T15:53:52.8775638 v2 71977 2026-05-21 Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods a03192b176ce931d0a1c52c2e2ac12e4 JOSEFF STURROCK JOSEFF STURROCK true false 2026-05-21 This research project focuses on developing a novel class of electric propulsion for spacecraft.The driving force behind the propulsion system’s thrust is ferromagnetic attraction. A coilgun type system was developed, to accelerate microscopic pieces of iron to high velocities. This creates a reaction force which propels the spacecraft. The design process focused on propulsion systems for a 1U CubeSat. This was also extrapolated to 3U CubeSats, as well as spacecraft of significantly higher mass and volume. Experimental work was conducted in order to validate the computational methodology. The millimetre scale physical experiments were simulated and the differences between these were extrapolated to the micron scale simulated prototypes. This research project is a proof-of-concept study. It explores the performance and viability of micron-scale ferromagnetic coilguns. To the author’s best knowledge, this has never been studied as a method of spacecraft propulsion. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to study and compare nanosatellite propulsion systems. The conclusions of the feasibility studies suggest that the novel propulsion system can provide a thrust-to-power ratio higher than any other existing nanosatellite propulsion system. The system provides many avenues for exploration, with a design that allows for flexibility in performance metrics. It was found that the system increases in propulsive efficiency at larger scales. This makes it best suited for larger spacecraft. The performance metrics of the novel thruster system give emphasis to thrust. This should allow drag compensation for nanosatellites operating in Very Low Earth Orbit. E-Thesis Swansea Aerospace Engineering, Spacecraft Engineering, Spacecraft Propulsion, Satellites, Satellite Propulsion, Coilgun, Electric Propulsion 19 3 2026 2026-03-19 10.23889/SUThesis.71977 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Zoran J., Ben E. Doctoral Ph.D 2026-05-21T15:53:52.8775638 2026-05-21T15:32:42.7717020 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering JOSEFF STURROCK 1 Under embargo Under embargo 2026-05-21T15:43:45.5866641 Output 8262973 application/pdf E-Thesis true 2031-03-15T00:00:00.0000000 Copyright: the author, Joseff Parke Sturrock. Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
title Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods
spellingShingle Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods
JOSEFF STURROCK
title_short Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods
title_full Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods
title_fullStr Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods
title_full_unstemmed Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods
title_sort Investigation and Optimisation of a Novel Class of Electric Propulsion for Spacecraft, Utilising Experimental and Computational Methods
author_id_str_mv a03192b176ce931d0a1c52c2e2ac12e4
author_id_fullname_str_mv a03192b176ce931d0a1c52c2e2ac12e4_***_JOSEFF STURROCK
author JOSEFF STURROCK
author2 JOSEFF STURROCK
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv 10.23889/SUThesis.71977
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering
document_store_str 0
active_str 0
description This research project focuses on developing a novel class of electric propulsion for spacecraft.The driving force behind the propulsion system’s thrust is ferromagnetic attraction. A coilgun type system was developed, to accelerate microscopic pieces of iron to high velocities. This creates a reaction force which propels the spacecraft. The design process focused on propulsion systems for a 1U CubeSat. This was also extrapolated to 3U CubeSats, as well as spacecraft of significantly higher mass and volume. Experimental work was conducted in order to validate the computational methodology. The millimetre scale physical experiments were simulated and the differences between these were extrapolated to the micron scale simulated prototypes. This research project is a proof-of-concept study. It explores the performance and viability of micron-scale ferromagnetic coilguns. To the author’s best knowledge, this has never been studied as a method of spacecraft propulsion. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to study and compare nanosatellite propulsion systems. The conclusions of the feasibility studies suggest that the novel propulsion system can provide a thrust-to-power ratio higher than any other existing nanosatellite propulsion system. The system provides many avenues for exploration, with a design that allows for flexibility in performance metrics. It was found that the system increases in propulsive efficiency at larger scales. This makes it best suited for larger spacecraft. The performance metrics of the novel thruster system give emphasis to thrust. This should allow drag compensation for nanosatellites operating in Very Low Earth Orbit.
published_date 2026-03-19T17:20:57Z
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score 11.106612

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