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Chinese Academy of Sciences

Breakthrough in Space-Based Gravitational Wave Detection: Low-Noise and Fast-Response Variable Cold Gas Micro-Thruster Developed

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A significant milestone has been achieved in the pursuit of space-based gravitational wave detection, a critical area of research in modern astrophysics. The Taiji program, a collaborative effort between various institutions, has made substantial progress in developing a variable cold gas micro-thruster designed to facilitate drag-free control. This innovation is crucial for the detection of gravitational waves, a phenomenon predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Taiji program aims to achieve space-based gravitational wave detection in the frequency range of 0.1 mHz-1 Hz.
  • The developed micro-thruster employs a series of technologies, including bidirectional piezoelectric drive, spherical valve core, and conical nozzle seal, to achieve engineering prototypes with low noise and fast response.
  • Ground performance tests indicate that the micro-thruster achieved a minimum thrust of close to 1.1 nN, a thrust resolution of 0.05 mN, and a maximum specific impulse of 69.1 s using nitrogen gas as the working fluid.
  • The developed micro-thruster met the performance requirements for drag-free control to facilitate space-based gravitational wave detection, as indicated by the results of ground performance tests.
  • Financial supporters for this research include the National Key Research & Development Program of China, the Opening Project of the Key Laboratory of Microgravity of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
  • Additional authors for this research include Chao Yang, Chu Zhang, Li Duan, Qi Kang, and Shuang Yang.

Statistics:

  • The developed micro-thruster achieved a minimum thrust of close to 1.1 nN.
  • The micro-thruster achieved a thrust resolution of 0.05 µN.
  • The maximum specific impulse of the developed micro-thruster was 69.1 s.
  • The thrust noise was less than 0.1 mN/Hz^0.5 in the frequency band of 10 mHz-1 Hz.
  • The thrust response time of the developed micro-thruster was 140 ms.
  • The control parameters were further optimized to achieve a flow response time of 50 ms.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from Chinese Academy of Sciences Reveals New Findings on Aeronautics and Astronautics (Low-noise and Fast-response Variable Cold Gas Micro-thruster Developed for Taiji Program). Journal of Physics Research. November 4, 2025; p 74.
  • Low-noise and Fast-response Variable Cold Gas Micro-thruster Developed for Taiji Program. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 2025;38(11).
  • Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA (www.elsevier.com).
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Mechanical, Key Laboratory of Microgravity, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China.

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