Integrated Propulsion System (IPS)
VACCO Industries
VACCO's Integrated Propulsion System (IPS) is a complete, bolt-on propulsion module for SmallSats, providing attitude control and delta-V with a total impulse of 12,000 N-sec.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Mass
- 9 kg
- Power
- 1 W
- Thrust
- 1 N
- Total impulse
- 12,000 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
- Total Impulse
- 12,000 N-sec
- Thruster Type
- 1N LMP-103S green monopropellant thrusters
- Number of Thrusters
- Four
- Net Axial Thrust
- 3.97N
- Thruster Flight Heritage
- 56 units successfully flown since 2010
- Communication and Health Monitoring Power
- <1W
- Peak Power
- 50W
- Performance Density
- 1,079 N-sec/L
About
VACCO’s Integrated Propulsion System (IPS) is a highly reliable, intelligent, and complete propulsion solution designed for SmallSats. It offers both attitude control and delta-V capabilities, delivering a total impulse of 12,000 N-sec. The IPS is a bolt-on module that includes propellant storage, a feed system, thrusters, and a controller. Its components and manufacturing methods are based on 57 years of space experience, including propulsion systems that powered the successful Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats. The system features four flight-proven 1N LMP-103S green monopropellant thrusters, double-canted for a net axial thrust of 3.97N. These 1N thrusters have a strong flight heritage, with 56 units successfully flown since 2010. During delta-V operations, individual thrusters can be off-pulsed to achieve thrust vector control, roll control, or reaction wheel desaturation. The design allows for expansion of propellant and pressurant capacity to increase total impulse with minimal impact on the overall system. Flight systems are currently in production. Key features include Range Safety Friendly design, three interrupts against propellant leakage, a leak-before-burst pressure boundary, separate power inputs for “Safe” and “Arm” states, an integral microcontroller with RS422 digital interface, radiation-resistant components with integral shielding, robust and sophisticated flight-proven software, redundant electronic pressure regulators, low power consumption (<1W for communication and health monitoring), 50W peak power, frictionless high-reliability micro valves, an all-welded high-strength titanium alloy structure, and fully manifolded components (no tubing).
Documentation
- Integrated-Propulsion-System-datasheet-020921.pdf PDF source: cubesat-propulsion.com ↗
- Integrated-Propulsion-System-datasheet-080519.pdf PDF source: cubesat-propulsion.com ↗
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.