Ion thruster

Momentus’ Latest-Generation Thruster Achieves 350 Test Cycles in Ground Testing

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Technology, Construction & Property, Engineering, Other Technology, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Alternative energy, Energy, Other Construction & Property, Spacecraft propulsion, Ion engines, Emerging technologies, Vigoride, Ion thruster, Thruster, Articles, Microwave electrothermal thruster, Vehicles, Transport

Momentus Inc. ("Momentus" or the "Company"), a U.S. commercial space company that plans to offer in-space infrastructure services, today announced that its latest-generation Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET) has completed 350 test cycles during the initial stages of life testing - the final stage of the thrusters ground test campaign.

Key Points: 
  • Momentus Inc. ("Momentus" or the "Company"), a U.S. commercial space company that plans to offer in-space infrastructure services, today announced that its latest-generation Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET) has completed 350 test cycles during the initial stages of life testing - the final stage of the thrusters ground test campaign.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210729005573/en/
    Momentus latest-generation thruster undergoes testing in a vacuum chamber at company headquarters.
  • The Company has completed the manufacturing of two Vigoride vehicles, one with a 30W thruster and a second with a 550W thruster.
  • The latest-generation thruster has reached 350 cycles with no detectable performance degradation, said Momentus Chief Technology Officer Rob Schwarz.

Busek Ships First LEO to GEO Capable Electric Propulsion System

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Ion engines, Spaceflight, Propulsion, Vehicles, Busek, Hall-effect thruster, Spacecraft propulsion, Thruster, Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion, Colloid thruster, Ion thruster

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.

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

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Deities, Gods, Exploration of the Moon, Constellation program, Apollo, Ion thruster, Hall-effect thruster

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.

SpaceX Transporter-1 Carries Two Phase Four-Powered Small Satellites to Low Earth Orbit in New 'ROI in Space' Era

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 25, 2021
Spaceflight, Earth orbits, Spacecraft, Small satellite, Satellite, Low Earth orbit, Ion thruster, Geocentric orbit, Astrodynamics, Collision avoidance

Maxwell plasma propulsion engines will power two smallsats that will execute Earth observation missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) over several years.

Key Points: 
  • Maxwell plasma propulsion engines will power two smallsats that will execute Earth observation missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) over several years.
  • The RFT-powered Maxwell propulsion system maneuvers satellites to optimal orbit and maintains their positions to acquire and measure precise Earth imagery data.
  • Propulsion for small satellites in LEO makes them far more agile to minimize collisions and extends mission lifetime by multiple years, which is critical for commercial spacecraft missions.
  • Phase Four is a disruptive provider of simple electric propulsion (EP) solutions for small satellites.

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

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Spaceflight, Spacecraft propulsion, Spacecraft, Outer space, Ion engines, Astrodynamics, Geostationary orbit, Hall-effect thruster, Apollo, Saturn, Ion thruster, Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion

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.

magniX Selected as Electric Propulsion Provider for Universal Hydrogen's Carbon-Free Aircraft

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Spacecraft propulsion, Emerging technologies, Articles, Technology, Science and technology, MagniX, Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion, Hydrogen vehicle, Ion thruster

Universal Hydrogen's plan for the Dash 8 includes a two-megawatt class electric propulsion system on each wing, which will be provided by magniX.

Key Points: 
  • Universal Hydrogen's plan for the Dash 8 includes a two-megawatt class electric propulsion system on each wing, which will be provided by magniX.
  • Powering the Dash 8 with magniX's electric propulsion will mark another step in scaling up magniX's zero-emission commercial aviation propulsion solutions to regional commercial aircraft.
  • "When looking for our propulsion partner, magniX stood out as a clear proven leader with a track-record of delivering the best in aerospace-grade electric propulsion.
  • Developed with proprietary technology, magniX offers a range of revolutionary electric propulsion solutions, including motors and power electronics, which produce zero emissions at lower operating costs.

magniX Selected as Electric Propulsion Provider for Universal Hydrogen's Carbon-Free Aircraft

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Spacecraft propulsion, Emerging technologies, Articles, Technology, Science and technology, MagniX, Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion, Hydrogen vehicle, Ion thruster

Universal Hydrogen's plan for the Dash 8 includes a two-megawatt class electric propulsion system on each wing, which will be provided by magniX.

Key Points: 
  • Universal Hydrogen's plan for the Dash 8 includes a two-megawatt class electric propulsion system on each wing, which will be provided by magniX.
  • Powering the Dash 8 with magniX's electric propulsion will mark another step in scaling up magniX's zero-emission commercial aviation propulsion solutions to regional commercial aircraft.
  • "When looking for our propulsion partner, magniX stood out as a clear proven leader with a track-record of delivering the best in aerospace-grade electric propulsion.
  • Developed with proprietary technology, magniX offers a range of revolutionary electric propulsion solutions, including motors and power electronics, which produce zero emissions at lower operating costs.

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

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Spacecraft propulsion, Articles, Science and technology, Hypothetical technology, Vehicles, Fringe physics, Pseudophysics, Reactionless drive, Thruster, Ion thruster, Hall-effect thruster, Propulsion

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.

U.S. Air Force Communications Satellite Relies on Aerojet Rocketdyne Propulsion Throughout Its Service Life

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 8, 2019
California, GenCorp, States of the United States, Economy of the United States, Canoga Park, Los Angeles, Aerojet, Water pollution in the United States, United Technologies Corporation, Rocketdyne, Ion thruster, Spark, Chandreshekar Sonwane

Helping to launch critical assets into orbit that provide our nation and its allies with secure, global communications is an important mission that the Aerojet Rocketdyne team takes very seriously, said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake.

Key Points: 
  • Helping to launch critical assets into orbit that provide our nation and its allies with secure, global communications is an important mission that the Aerojet Rocketdyne team takes very seriously, said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake.
  • Our propulsion systems support this mission from the launch pad to orbit to final end-of-life decommissioning of the satellite.
  • Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world leader in electric propulsion technology; we have provided more than 550 electric propulsion thrusters on over 200 spacecraft.
  • About Aerojet Rocketdyne: Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of domestic and international customers.

Ball Aerospace Small Satellite for NASA's Green Propellant Mission Ready for Launch

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 21, 2019
Spaceflight, Spacecraft, Rocketry, Spacecraft propulsion, Rocket propellants, Green Propellant Infusion Mission, In spaceflight, Emerging technologies, SpaceX, Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Ion thruster, Falcon

BOULDER, Colo., June 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A Ball Aerospace satellite used for NASA's Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) is ready for launch, scheduled for no earlier than June 24 on board a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

Key Points: 
  • BOULDER, Colo., June 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A Ball Aerospace satellite used for NASA's Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) is ready for launch, scheduled for no earlier than June 24 on board a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
  • Ball built the small satellite, which contains NASA's first opportunity to demonstrate a new "green" propellant and propulsion system in orbit an alternative to conventional chemical propulsion systems.
  • As the prime contractor for GPIM, Ball Aerospace is responsible for system engineering; flight thruster performance verification; ground and flight data review; spacecraft bus; assembly, integration and test; and launch and flight support.
  • GPIM is part of NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions program within the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), and Christopher McLean of Ball Aerospace serves as the principal investigator.