Hall-effect thruster

Announcing Phase Four's Maxwell Block 3 Plasma Propulsion Thruster: Exceeding Hall Effect Thruster Performance

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 7, 2023

HAWTHORNE, Calif., Aug. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Phase Four, Inc. ("Phase Four"), the creator of the radio-frequency thruster for satellite propulsion, announced today its highly anticipated Maxwell Block 3 turn-key plasma propulsion thruster.

Key Points: 
  • HAWTHORNE, Calif., Aug. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Phase Four, Inc. ("Phase Four"), the creator of the radio-frequency thruster for satellite propulsion, announced today its highly anticipated Maxwell Block 3 turn-key plasma propulsion thruster.
  • The Maxwell Block 3 offers satellite manufacturers performance that exceeds Hall Effect Thrusters when operated with krypton, a first for any electrodeless thruster.
  • Maxwell Block 3 offers satellite manufacturers performance that exceeds Hall Effect Thrusters when operated with krypton.
  • Phase Four's Maxwell Block 3 thruster is a revolutionary advancement that establishes an unrivaled benchmark in satellite propulsion technology.

Max Polyakov's SETS receives US patent for stabilized discharge power supply for its Hall thrusters

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 2, 2021

DNIPRO, Ukraine, June 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SETS, a provider of low-power plasma thrusters and electric propulsion systems owned by noted space entrepreneur Dr. Max Polyakov, has received a US patent for stabilized discharge power supply for its Hall thrusters.

Key Points: 
  • DNIPRO, Ukraine, June 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SETS, a provider of low-power plasma thrusters and electric propulsion systems owned by noted space entrepreneur Dr. Max Polyakov, has received a US patent for stabilized discharge power supply for its Hall thrusters.
  • The patent makes SETS the only company in the world that is capable of manufacturing high-stability propulsion systems based on the Hall effect.
  • Usage of a stabilized discharge power supply will allow more flexibility in regulating the parameters of an electric rocket propulsion system in long-term operation onboard a spacecraft.
  • A stabilized discharge power supply for Hall-effect thrusters ensures a steady value of thrust during long-term operation, and when changing the parameters of the onboard power supply of the spacecraft.

Maxar and Busek Thruster System for NASA Lunar Gateway Passes Critical Milestone

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 18, 2021

The electric propulsion subsystem for the PPE spacecraft features Maxar-built high-power control electronics (PPU-6000), a Moog xenon feed system, and four Busek-built BHT-6000 Hall effect thrusters.

Key Points: 
  • The electric propulsion subsystem for the PPE spacecraft features Maxar-built high-power control electronics (PPU-6000), a Moog xenon feed system, and four Busek-built BHT-6000 Hall effect thrusters.
  • Together, this system is 30 percent more powerful than any SEP system flown by these companies.
  • Busek's thrusters will help enable highly efficient electric orbit-raising, station keeping, and maneuvering for Gateway.
  • "The SEP systems we are evolving for PPE are a fantastic example of innovative commercial technology with great flight heritage being leveraged for NASA programs.

Busek Ships First LEO to GEO Capable Electric Propulsion System

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Hall thrusters are one form of highly efficient spacecraft electric propulsion which utilize solar energy and very small amounts of propellant to create thrust.

Key Points: 
  • Hall thrusters are one form of highly efficient spacecraft electric propulsion which utilize solar energy and very small amounts of propellant to create thrust.
  • The undisclosed customer ordered the system roughly twelve months ago for a Government mission launching later this year.
  • The modular flight system features a Busek-designed radiation tolerant power processor with variable output, xenon feed system, and long-life thruster assembly.
  • About Busek Co. Inc.: Busek is a leader in the development and manufacture of high performance in-space propulsion, sensors, and power systems.

Earth Observant Inc. Successfully Tests Next-generation Propulsion Technology to Support Future Very Low Earth Orbit Missions

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 18, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Earth Observant Inc. (EOI) successfully completed a series of tests on its internally developed Hall-effect thruster that introduces new propellant types while maintaining thruster efficiency and minimizing erosion.

Key Points: 
  • SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Earth Observant Inc. (EOI) successfully completed a series of tests on its internally developed Hall-effect thruster that introduces new propellant types while maintaining thruster efficiency and minimizing erosion.
  • This technology supports EOI's core mission of operating a Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) constellation of Earth Imaging satellites to deliver ultra-high resolution image data.
  • This propulsion tech supports EOI's core mission of operating in very low orbits for commercial & defense applications.
  • This propulsion technology enables crucial satellite operating maneuvers, including drag makeup, orbital plane changes, upper stage payload ferrying, and controlled deorbiting.

Apollo Fusion, Inc. Selected for LEO Constellation Program by York Space Systems

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 26, 2021

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Apollo Fusion, Inc. is excited to announce it has been selected to provide the propulsion system for a LEO satellite constellation program placed by York Space Systems.

Key Points: 
  • MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Apollo Fusion, Inc. is excited to announce it has been selected to provide the propulsion system for a LEO satellite constellation program placed by York Space Systems.
  • York's order with Apollo will provide the electric propulsion system for a LEO constellation of 10+ satellites with an anticipated launch in 2022.
  • York will be incorporating Apollo's ACE (Apollo Constellation Engine) a low thrust, high efficiency, radiation hardened Hall thruster propulsion system developed by Apollo Fusion, Inc.
  • Apollo CEO Mike Cassidy said, "We're thrilled to be selected by York to provide the high performance necessary for this exciting constellation mission.

Apollo Fusion, Inc. Propulsion Systems Selected by Saturn Satellite Networks Inc.

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 16, 2020

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturn Satellite Networks Inc. has selected Apollo Fusion propulsion systems for Saturn's NationSat geostationary communications satellites.

Key Points: 
  • MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Saturn Satellite Networks Inc. has selected Apollo Fusion propulsion systems for Saturn's NationSat geostationary communications satellites.
  • Saturn selected Apollo Fusion because Apollo's unique Electric Propulsion system supports the Saturn objectives to enable its NationSat small GEO sats to perform functions of much larger satellites, hence substantially reducing the barrier to spacecraft development and manufacturing.
  • Apollo CEO Mike Cassidy added, "We're thrilled to be selected by Saturn to provide electric propulsion for their NationSat small GEO sats.
  • Apollo Fusion, Inc. designs and builds state of the art Hall thruster propulsion systems for a variety of government and commercial satellite programs.

CID (Centrifugal Impulse Drive): A New Form of Propulsion That Will Forever Change Space Flight

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CID utilizes a new form of propulsion where electricity is turned directly into thrust to propel the spacecraft without expelling any mass.

Key Points: 
  • CID utilizes a new form of propulsion where electricity is turned directly into thrust to propel the spacecraft without expelling any mass.
  • CID Is the propellantless alternative to the ion drive and hall thruster currently used in satellites.
  • is a reactionless drive or inertia impulse propulsion engine (also reactionless thruster, reactionless engine and inertia drive).
  • By definition, a reactionless drive or inertia propulsion engine is any form of propulsion not based around the expulsion of fuel or reaction mass.

Advanced Electric Propulsion Thruster for NASA’s Gateway Achieves Full Power Demonstration

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 8, 2019

PASADENA, Calif., Nov. 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne and NASA recently demonstrated an Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) thruster at full power for the first time, achieving an important program milestone.

Key Points: 
  • PASADENA, Calif., Nov. 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne and NASA recently demonstrated an Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) thruster at full power for the first time, achieving an important program milestone.
  • Our AEPS thruster has demonstrated the high levels of power needed to operate the Power and Propulsion Element, and by extension, the entire Gateway, said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake.
  • With a successful full power test complete, Aerojet Rocketdyne is ready for the next phase of our advanced electric propulsion system in support of NASAs Artemis program.
  • Each string is comprised of a Xenon Hall thruster, a power processing unit that controls the electric power to the thruster, and a Xenon flow controller which controls the flow of Xenon to the thruster.

Riverside Research performs Hall-effect thruster experiments to investigate more efficient uses of plasma in propulsion

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 5, 2019

Riverside Research's multidisciplinary Open Innovation Center experts conduct research to improve the propulsion community's ability to understand how ground test conditions influence thruster operations.

Key Points: 
  • Riverside Research's multidisciplinary Open Innovation Center experts conduct research to improve the propulsion community's ability to understand how ground test conditions influence thruster operations.
  • The Riverside Research plasma research group performs Hall-effect thruster experiments in their large vacuum chamber, which emulates a low-earth-orbit environment.This research is intended to collect data from Hall-effect thrusters operating under precisely-controlled plasma and magnetic field parameters.
  • "Our plasma research facility and the experts who support it are an exceptional example of the power of multi-disciplinary research and development," says Riverside Research President and CEO, Dr. Steve Omick.
  • Riverside Research conducts independent research in machine learning, trusted and resilient systems, optics and photonics, electromagnetics, plasma physics, and biomedical engineering.