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

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.