A Microelectromechanical System-based (MEMS) PICOSAT Inspector (MEPSI) picosatellite on STS-116, in December 2006, used a five thruster cold gas propulsion system to translate and rotate. The inspector picosatellite measured 4 × 4 × 5 inches in dimension and weighted 1.4 kg. Our propulsion system was produced by a unique (to spacecraft) method of manufacturing that is low cost, tightly integrated, and leak tight. This paper will describe the design, fabrication, testing and limits of this type of unit, and extrapolate to other related uses found at The Aerospace Corporation. This work was funded by The Aerospace Corporation's Independent Research and Development (IR&D) program.
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