Self-neutralizing electrospray propulsion module for CubeSats, targeting over 2000 Ns total impulse and over 800 s Isp under 10 W.
Plugim Electrospray Thruster
Self-neutralizing electrospray propulsion module for CubeSats, targeting over 2000 Ns total impulse and over 800 s Isp under 10 W.
Description
Plugim is XIROI's electrospray propulsion module for CubeSats. The product tightly packs several electrospray sources using reliable and fully scalable manufacturing techniques.
The propellant feeding system and emitter-extractor geometries have been designed to achieve high efficiency and specific impulse goals. The system delivers low thrust at high specific impulse and efficiency, and unlike other products it does not require high-frequency polarisation switching.
The module integrates the thruster unit, the fuel management system and the power processing unit in a single package. XIROI's product drawing gives an envelope of 100 x 100 x 75 mm for the integrated module.
Important: the figures below are published by XIROI in a table headed "Performance Requirements", i.e. they are the design targets the system is engineered to meet, not measured in-flight results.
Specifications
| Figures are | Vendor-stated performance requirements (design targets), not measured results |
|---|---|
| Total impulse | > 2000 Ns |
| Delta-v (3U) | > 500 m/s |
| Specific impulse | > 800 s |
| Thrust | > 0.35 mN |
| Power consumption | < 10 W full system, preferably < 5 W thruster |
| Propulsion system wet mass | < 550 g |
| Total propulsion system size | < 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm x 5 cm (requirement) |
| Module envelope in product drawing | 100 x 100 x 75 mm |
| Subsystems integrated | Thruster unit, fuel management, power processing unit |
| Neutralizer | Self-neutralizing (none required) |
| Polarisation switching | Not required |
| Throttleable | Yes |
| Export status | ITAR-free |