Liquid Engine Mass

Estimates
Reaction Control System for
Satellites and Upper Stages of
Launch Vehicles

Typical Performance
Parameters

Specific Impulse
Thrust Capability
Engine Weight
Thrust to Weight Ratio
Propulsion Duration
Specific Power

Liquid Engine Propulsion System

Components
The Propulsion System Mass is comprised
of following items
Propellant
Pressurant
Propellant Tanks
Pressurant Tank
Liquid Engine Assembly
Plumbing
Instruementation

Propellant Tank Structure

Propellant Tank is composed of following
structural items
Tank Structure
Propellant Isolation Assembly
Diaphragm/Bladder
Retainer Ring for Diaphragm Attachment
Structural Mounting Lugs
Tank Mounted Fitting Components

Tank Mass
Mass

of Tank membrane can be

estimated as
Where,; Mass of Tank Membrane
;density of tank material
; inner radius of tank
; Tank Membrane Thickness

Thruster Assembly
Thruster
Assembly is composed of

following main items

Thruster Chamber
Propellant Valve Assembly
Weight of thruster assembly can be
estimated using following relation
ref: spacecraft Propulsion by Charles D. Brown page 63

Pressurant Mass

Plumbing Mass
Plumbing Mass inludes the mass of the propellant lines,
valves, etc.