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An Inventive High-Thrust Micro-Propulsion System Compatible with Small-Satellites' Safety and Budget Requirements

Programme
Discovery
Programme Reference
ETD 2022-10-a
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
Switzerland
An Inventive High-Thrust Micro-Propulsion System Compatible with Small-Satellites' Safety and Budget Requirements
Description

The need for high-thrust propulsion systems compatible with small satellites for constellation deployment, orbit maintenance and stationkeeping is particularly emerging. A high-thrust propulsion system provides large velocity increments in a short time, which enables orbit transfer, orbital plane change, re-entry, and planetary orbit insertion for deep space exploration. In this activity, the contactor developed the concept of water vapor and metal powder pulsed-micropropulsion system, with advantageous features: (i) safe, non-toxic/ hazardous propellant, (ii) high-thrust despite compact footprint, (iii) in-space availability of propellants.

Technology Domain
Executive summary