AIS-VAT3 Vacuum Arc Thruster
Applied Ion Systems
The AIS-VAT3 is a 40W-class vacuum arc thruster (VAT) developed by Applied Ion Systems, scaled up from the VAT1-PQ design for use on larger CubeSats up to 6U-class. Development of the VAT3 is officially ended and the product is obsolete.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Power
- 40 W
- Largest dimension
- 92 mm
- Thrust
- 256 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
- High Power Vacuum Arc Thruster
- Power
- 40 W
- Thrust
- 256uN (at 4 Hz)
- Thrust (End of Life)
- 64uN (at 4 Hz)
- Shot lifetime
- up to 300,000
- Total impulse
- 8Ns
- Rep rate
- 1-4 Hz
- Dimensions
- 92x92x75 mm
- Fuel
- Bismuth
- Inputs
- 5 V, GND, x2 Logic Commands
- Status
- OBSOLETE
About
The AIS-VAT3 Vacuum Arc Thruster represents the next generation of larger class vacuum arc thrusters at Applied Ion Systems (AIS). The VAT3 scales up the original AIS-VAT1-PQ Micro Vacuum Arc Thruster design and brings the AIS-VAT Series into a whole new power class. The VAT3 is also essentially the same as the original VAT2 design, but incorporates twice the power supply capacity in a slightly larger form factor. At 40W power-class capacity, the VAT3 is sized for use with larger CubeSats, specifically allowing for integration up to 6U-class satellites. It is a High Power Vacuum Arc Thruster type, using Bismuth as its propellant, and operates at a repetition rate of 1-4Hz, producing 256uN of thrust at 4Hz (dropping to 64uN at 4Hz at end of life). It has a shot lifetime of up to 300,000 shots and a total impulse of 8Ns. The thruster measures 92x92x75mm and takes 5V and GND power inputs along with two logic command inputs. As of 10/25/2022, VAT3 development is officially ended and the product is marked obsolete.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.