AIS-VAT1-DUO Dual Micro Vacuum Arc Thruster
Applied Ion Systems
A dual-module micro vacuum arc thruster cluster consisting of two parallel AIS-VAT1-PQ units, sized for CubeSats down to 1U or even 1/2U class satellites.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 0.084 kg
- Power
- 5 W
- Largest dimension
- 84 mm
- Thrust
- 8.4 N
- Specific impulse
- 87 s
- Total impulse
- 0.26 N·s
- Lead time
- 0.921 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
- Dual Micro Vacuum Arc Cluster
- Power
- 5 W or 10 W Options
- Min thrust
- 8.4uN (1 W)
- Max thrust (5W)
- 26uN
- Max thrust (10W)
- 52uN
- Shot lifetime
- 40,000
- Total impulse
- 0.26Ns
- ISP
- 87s
- Orbital movement (1kg 1U)
- 480m
- Rep rate
- 1-4 Hz (5 W), 1-8 Hz (10 W)
- Dimensions
- 84x42x21 mm
- Mass
- 84 g
- Fuel
- Bismuth
- Inputs
- 5 V, GND, x2 Logic Pulses
- Price
- $4800.00
- Status
- AVAILABLE
- Lead time
- 4 WEEKS
About
The AIS-VAT1-DUO Dual Micro Vacuum Arc Thruster is the next thruster in the AIS-VAT Series, consisting of two parallel AIS-VAT1-PQ Micro Vacuum Arc Thruster modules. The DUO is also the first official AIS thruster sized for use with Cubesats, specifically allowing for integration down to 1U or even 1/2U class satellites.
At only 84x42x21mm in volume, and available in either 5W or 10W options (which can operate down to 1W or less at low rep rates), with simple triggering and high firing reliability, the DUO opens the door for any Cubesat team to explore the use of EP with minimal volume and power budget. The DUO also opens the door for an extremely low-cost off-the-shelf propulsion system for ground testing for academic, student, and research use. At only $4800.00 in price, the DUO is also the lowest cost off-the-shelf electric propulsion system for Cubesats on the market.
Fuel: Bismuth. Status: AVAILABLE.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.