ELECTROSPRAY THRUSTERS
Electrospray thrusters are characterized by precise thrust control (on the order of nano-Newtons) and extremely
efficient operation (over 80%).
LISA PATHFINDER - SPACE TECHNOLOGY 7
Since 1998, Busek has been a recognized leader in the field of electrospray physics,
which led to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s award to Busek to develop the first
electrospray thruster system. This system included custom power management, digital
control interface and propellant storage and management systems. The extreme
precision (equivalent to the weight of a mosquito antenna) required the development of
new miniature valves capable of withstanding the performance requirements, in addition
to a propellant-less carbon nanotube cathode. Since delivering the flight hardware to
JPL in 2008, Busek has been continuing its effort to result in a new class of miniature,
high performance electrospray propulsion.
which led to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s award to Busek to develop the first
electrospray thruster system. This system included custom power management, digital
control interface and propellant storage and management systems. The extreme
precision (equivalent to the weight of a mosquito antenna) required the development of
new miniature valves capable of withstanding the performance requirements, in addition
to a propellant-less carbon nanotube cathode. Since delivering the flight hardware to
JPL in 2008, Busek has been continuing its effort to result in a new class of miniature,
high performance electrospray propulsion.
The module consumes 1 U (including electronics) and 15 W power to
deliver a thrust range up to 1.0mN, at specific impulses ranging from
400 s to over 1300 s. The in-situ optimization of performance
provides significant mission flexibility and versatility. The Electrospray
Thruster System features a precision microvalve leveraged from ST7
design heritage and rugged flight electronics.
100µN ELECTROSPRAY THRUSTER SYSTEM
Busek's 100µN-Class Electrospray Propulsion System is a 9 cm x 9 cm
x3.2 cm module and consumes 5.5 W to deliver 0.1 mN at a specific
impulse of 2,300 seconds. Lower specific impulse configurations are
available for extremely power limited applications (<3.5 W). A single
module can deliver 74 m/s to a 4kg CubeSat.
deliver a thrust range up to 1.0mN, at specific impulses ranging from
400 s to over 1300 s. The in-situ optimization of performance
provides significant mission flexibility and versatility. The Electrospray
Thruster System features a precision microvalve leveraged from ST7
design heritage and rugged flight electronics.
100µN ELECTROSPRAY THRUSTER SYSTEM
Busek's 100µN-Class Electrospray Propulsion System is a 9 cm x 9 cm
x3.2 cm module and consumes 5.5 W to deliver 0.1 mN at a specific
impulse of 2,300 seconds. Lower specific impulse configurations are
available for extremely power limited applications (<3.5 W). A single
module can deliver 74 m/s to a 4kg CubeSat.
