An open-source, ultra-low-cost micro pulsed plasma thruster module designed for PocketQubes and CubeSats, with confirmed flight heritage on orbit aboard a 1U CubeSat. Now retired.
AIS-gPPT3-1C Series Integrated Propulsion Module
An open-source, ultra-low-cost micro pulsed plasma thruster module designed for PocketQubes and CubeSats, with confirmed flight heritage on orbit aboard a 1U CubeSat. Now retired.
Description
The AIS-gPPT3-1C Series Integrated Propulsion Module represents the first advance of open-source, low-cost micro-propulsion at Applied Ion Systems, and a first of its kind for the propulsion field. The module is specifically designed to operate with the incredibly stringent power and space restrictions for PocketQubes and Cubesats, and serves as an ultra-low cost, low-power, and simple to use demonstration propulsion module for both ground as well as orbital testing.
As of March 22, 2021 the AIS-gPPT3-1C Integrated Propulsion Module has officially gone orbital on the Care Weather Technologies Hatchling Veery 1U Cubesat! In addition, two modules have been integrated aboard the AMSAT-Spain GENESIS N and L PocketQubes.
The thruster module features the AIS-gPPT3-1C thruster head fully integrated with a custom power supply board featuring a compact space-heritage high voltage EMCO Q Series DC-DC converter. Average power draw is around 500mW, providing up to 2000V for the main capacitor bank during nominal 0.25Hz operation. A high voltage trigger coil provides -10kV trigger pulses for ignition. The power supply is directly driven from 5VDC with logic pulse control. High value, high voltage rated pulse-withstanding dividers provide voltage feedback for the main and ignition banks, enabling in-space firing verification and lifetime tracking.
The module features an incredibly compact form factor of 40mm x 38mm x 24mm, compatible with PocketQubes as small as 1P. Design files released under CERN-OHL-S v2 open source license.
Flight Heritage: Flown on Care Weather Technologies Hatchling Veery 1U CubeSat (March 2021); integrated on AMSAT-Spain GENESIS N and L PocketQubes. 4 systems delivered. Status: RETIRED (November 2021, superseded by AIS-VAT Series).
Specifications
| Thruster type | AIS-gPPT3-1C Micro Pulsed Plasma Thruster |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Teflon |
| Power draw | 500 mW |
| Primary capacitor bank | 0.136uF |
| Primary bank working voltage | 2 kV |
| Supply voltage | 5 V |
| Thruster energy | 0.28J |
| Ignition voltage | -10 kV |
| Pulse repetition rate | 0.25 Hz Nominal |
| Dimensions | 40x38x24 mm |
| Total thruster mass | 34 g |
| Usable propellant mass (Teflon) | 50-99 mg (estimate) |
| Vacuum levels tested | 5x10^-7 Torr |
| Impulse bit | >0.65uNs |
| Rated shots | 500 |
| Total impulse | 325uNs |
| Thrust | 0.22uN |
| Test readiness level (TRL) | 7 |
| Systems delivered | 4 |
| Systems flown | 1 |
| Price | $2500 |
| Status | RETIRED |
