AIS-VAT1-PQ
Applied Ion Systems
A flight-qualified micro vacuum arc thruster (MVAT) using solid bismuth fuel, designed to provide propulsion for PocketQube and small CubeSat satellites.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 0.056 kg
- Power
- 2.5 W
- Largest dimension
- 42 mm
- Thrust
- 26 N
- Specific impulse
- 87 s
- Total impulse
- 0.13 N·s
- Lead time
- 1.38 months
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Type
- Micro Vacuum Arc Thruster
- Power
- 2.5 W or 5 W Options
- Thrust (Beginning of Life)
- 26uN
- Thrust (End of Life)
- <1uN
- Shot lifetime
- 40,000
- Total impulse
- 0.13Ns
- ISP
- 87s
- Orbital movement (0.25kg 1P)
- 950m
- Orbital movement (0.5kg 2P)
- 475m
- Orbital movement (0.75kg 3P)
- 315m
- Orbital movement (1kg 1U)
- 240m
- Rep rate
- 1-4 Hz (2.5 W), 1-8 Hz (5 W)
- Dimensions
- 42x42x21 mm
- Mass
- 56 g
- Fuel
- Bismuth
- Inputs
- 5 V, GND, x2 Logic Pulses
- Price
- $3500.00
- Status
- AVAILABLE
- Lead time
- 6 WEEKS
About
The AIS-VAT1-PQ is a Micro Vacuum Arc Thruster (MVAT), an electric propulsion system from Applied Ion Systems intended for PocketQube and CubeSat class satellites. It uses solid, unpressurized bismuth as propellant, which is ablated via a pulsed vacuum arc discharge to generate thrust, avoiding the need for pressurized propellant tanks. The thruster is offered with 2.5W or 5W power options, producing 26uN of thrust at beginning of life (degrading to under 1uN at end of life) with a rated shot lifetime of 40,000 shots and a total impulse of 0.13Ns at a specific impulse of 87s. Repetition rate ranges from 1-4Hz on 2.5W power up to 1-8Hz on 5W power. The unit measures 42x42x21mm and has a mass of 56g. It requires 5V and GND power inputs plus two logic pulse inputs for operation. Expected orbital altitude change (orbital movement) figures are provided for various spacecraft configurations: 950m for a 0.25kg 1P satellite, 475m for a 0.5kg 2P satellite, 315m for a 0.75kg 3P satellite, and 240m for a 1kg 1U CubeSat. The product has a dedicated overview page and Gen 1 qualification test videos demonstrating flight heritage/testing. It is currently listed as available with a 6 week lead time and priced at $3500.00.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.