ENPULSION GmbH a space tech company developing one of the most advanced propulsion solutions for small sats to a large number of worldwide satellite platform integrators has introduced a new electric propulsion thruster for small satellites.
The ENPULSION NANO has a dynamic thrust range of 10 to 350 µN and a nominal thrust of 330 µN. The thrust can be controlled through the electrode voltages, providing excellent controllability over the full thrust range and a low thrust noise. The ENPULSION NANO can operate at an Isp range of 1,500 to 5,000 seconds. It can be operated along the full dynamic range throughout the mission. This means that high Isp and low Isp maneuvers can be included in mission planning, as well as high-thrust orbit maneuvers and low-thrust precision control maneuvers.
The ENPULSION NANO contains no moving parts and the propellant is in its solid state at room temperature. Avoiding any liquid and reactive propellants as well as pressurized tanks significantly simplifies handling, integration, and launch procedures. The thruster has a wet mass of 900 g and measures 100.0 x 100.0 x 82.5 mm.
The ENPULSION NANO uses a FEEP propulsion technology that has been developed under ESA contracts for 15 years. At this time more than 100 emitters have been tested and an ongoing lifetime test has demonstrated more than 20,000 hours of firing without degradation of the emitter performance. The firmware of the ENPULSION NANO has been optimized with lessons learned from in-orbit verification.
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