Propellant tank and loading for electrospray thruster

An assembly comprising:

• a thruster assembly comprising:
• a tank comprising a first opening and a second opening;
• a porous emitter array disposed over the first opening;
• and
• a porous reservoir disposed within an interior of the tank,
• wherein the porous reservoir is in fluid communication with the porous emitter array through the first opening;
• a beaker having a first end comprising a breakaway bottom, wherein the first end of the beaker is disposed in the second opening,
• wherein prior to the breakaway bottom breaking, liquid propellant is retained in the beaker, and wherein when the breakaway bottom breaks, the liquid propellant flows into the tank.

A thruster assembly comprising:

• a tank comprising a first opening and a vent;
• a porous emitter array disposed over the first opening;
• a porous reservoir disposed within an interior of the tank, wherein the porous reservoir is in fluid communication with the porous emitter array through the first opening;
• and
• a liquid propellant disposed within the porous reservoir, wherein the vent comprises a porous membrane that permits gas to pass therethrough and blocks the liquid propellant from passing therethrough.

A thruster assembly comprising:

• a tank comprising a first opening, wherein the tank is formed from one or more semi-permeable materials that permits gas to pass therethrough and blocks a liquid propellant from passing therethrough;
• a porous emitter array disposed over the first opening;
• a porous reservoir disposed within an interior of the tank, wherein the porous reservoir is in fluid communication with the porous emitter array through the first opening;
• and
• the liquid propellant disposed within the porous reservoir.