AIS-VAT2 Vacuum Arc Thruster
Applied Ion Systems
The AIS-VAT2 is a next-generation vacuum arc thruster designed for CubeSats, offering propulsion at 20W or less and fitting within a 0.5U volume.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 0.7 kg
- Power
- 20 W
- Largest dimension
- 92 mm
- Thrust
- 128 N
- Total impulse
- 8 N·s
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
- Vacuum Arc Thruster
- Power
- 20 W
- Thrust (Beginning of Life)
- 128uN (at 2 Hz)
- Thrust (End of Life)
- 32uN (at 2 Hz)
- Shot lifetime
- up to 300,000
- Total impulse
- 8Ns
- Rep rate
- 1-2 Hz
- Dimensions
- 92x92x50 mm
- Mass
- 700 g
- Fuel
- Bismuth
- Inputs
- 5 V, GND, x2 Logic Commands
- Status
- IN DEVELOPMENT
About
The AIS-VAT2 Vacuum Arc Thruster is an advanced propulsion system developed by Applied Ion Systems, representing a larger class of vacuum arc thrusters. It operates at 20W or less and occupies a compact 0.5U volume, making it suitable for a wide range of CubeSats, from smaller to larger systems. The design principles are inherited from the original VAT1-PQ, ensuring similar control and operational capabilities as the smaller VAT1 Series thrusters. The thruster uses Bismuth as fuel and is currently in development. It provides a beginning of life thrust of 128uN and an end of life thrust of 32uN, with a shot lifetime of up to 300,000 and a total impulse of 8Ns. It operates with a repetition rate of 1-2Hz and requires 5V, GND, and two logic commands as inputs.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.