Micro Electric Propulsion Technology for Small Satellites: Design, Testing and In-Orbit Operations

Micro Electric Propulsion Technology for Small Satellites: Design, Testing and In-Orbit Operations

Electric propulsion (EP) systems can provide an increased speci_c impulse over typical chemical systems and resistojets. This allows for a higher total delta V for a mission or signi_cant mass savings. The use of EP systems for small satellites has so far been prohibited by the high cost of the systems and the high power needs to run them within the physical constraints of small satellites. The Surrey Space Centre of the University of Surrey, together with its industrial partners is working on the development of low cost, highly innovative micro-EP systems for small satellites which can currently support and enhance current space missions as well as to enable new mission concepts for the near term. In this paper, current work on a micro-PPT, the novel '`Quad Con_nement Thruster" (QCT) and the Helicon double layer thruster (HDLT).