Multi-Modal Electric Propulsion Engine (MEPE)
Aurora Propulsion Technologies
5U dual-mode electric propulsion system combining Hall-effect thruster and resistojet modes with green propellant — orbital maneuvers up to 150 kg, flew as IOD in 2023.
Typed specifications27 values
Discloses 9 of 10 fields engineers filter by in this category (category median 3).
- Propulsion family
- electric datasheet p.1
- Mass
- 5 kg nom. · wet mass (~5 kg) · datasheet p.1 5 kg wet
- Thrust
- 1 mN ARM (per thruster) · datasheet p.2 1 mN ARM, per thruster | 3 mN MUSIC
- Envelope (L×W×H)
- 125 x 220 x 220 mm3 datasheet p.2
- Specific impulse
- 40 s nom. · ARM (~40 s) · datasheet p.1 40 s ARM | 1 000 s MUSIC | 1 000 s nom. · MUSIC (~1000 s)
- Total impulse
- 10 000 N·s datasheet p.2
- Propellant
- other green propellant, unspecified · product page
- Power consumption
- 4 W ARM (per thruster) · datasheet p.1
- Data interface
- RS422 datasheet p.2
- Lead time
- 8–12 months from order · datasheet p.1
- Thruster technology
- Hall effect MUSIC Hall-based thruster (plus 4x ARM attitude thrusters) · datasheet p.1
- Thrusters in the unit
- 4 ARM · datasheet p.1 1 MUSIC
- Propellant mass (full load)
- 1 kg nom. · ~1 kg, baseline tank · datasheet p.1 1 kg
- Power at thrust
- 4 W ARM (per thruster) · datasheet p.2 4 W ARM, per thruster | 100 W MUSIC
- Flight heritage
- IOD launched 2023 (ORB-12 STRIDER) product page
- Satellite class
- smallsat 100-500 kg 250 kg · datasheet p.2 CubeSat From 12 U CubeSat to 250 kg
Each value is typed with its unit and measurement condition and cites the datasheet page it was taken from. Nothing is guessed: a field that is absent here has not been published by the manufacturer. machine-extracted ✓ checked by NewSpace Market ✓ manufacturer confirmed by the manufacturer.
As published by the supplier12 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
- Form factor
- 5U
- Propulsion modes
- Hall-effect thruster + resistojet
- Propellant
- Green (non-toxic)
- Max serviceable satellite mass
- ~150 kg
- Flight heritage
- IOD launched 2023 (ORB-12 STRIDER)
- Wet mass
- ~ 5 kg
- Propellant mass
- ~ 1 kg
- Thrust
- 3 mN (MUSIC), 1 mN (ARM, per thruster)
- Specific impulse
- ~ 1000 s (MUSIC), ~ 40 s (ARM)
- Power
- 100 W (MUSIC), 4 W (ARM, per thruster)
- Interface
- RS422
- Total impulse
- 10 kNs
About
The Multi-Modal Electric Propulsion Engine (MEPE) combines the efficiency of a Hall-effect thruster with the versatility of resistojet propulsion in a single 5U system. This dual-mode approach provides both high thrust and high specific impulse, enabling optimal maneuverability across a wide range of mission phases, including deep space applications.
MEPE uses a green (non-toxic) propellant and is built with a modular housing for easy spacecraft integration. It supports orbital maneuvers for satellites up to approximately 150 kg and was demonstrated in orbit as an in-orbit demonstration (IOD) launched in 2023, including flight aboard the ORB-12 STRIDER mission.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.