VACCO JPL MarCO Micro Propulsion System
VACCO Industries
The VACCO JPL MarCO Micro Propulsion System is a smart, self-contained propulsion module designed for 6U CubeSats, featuring a system-in-a-tank design and flight heritage on the first interplanetary CubeSat.
Typed specifications18 values
Discloses 6 of 11 fields engineers filter by in this category (category median 3).
- Propulsion family
- cold-gas datasheet p.1
- Mass
- 3.49 kg wet mass · datasheet p.1
- Thrust
- 25 mN axial and RCS thrusters · datasheet p.1 25 mN each thruster
- Total impulse
- 755 N·s datasheet p.1
- Propellant
- R236fa datasheet p.1
- Supply voltage
- 9–12.6 V datasheet p.1
- Power consumption
- 0.5 W product page
- Data interface
- RS-422 datasheet p.1
- Operating temperature
- -30–55 °C datasheet p.1
- Thruster technology
- cold gas cold gas thrusters (8) places · datasheet p.2
- Thrusters in the unit
- 8 4 axial and 4 RCS · datasheet p.1
- Min impulse bit
- 0.5 mN·s datasheet p.1 0.5 mN·s min
- Time to thrust
- 20 s max · Thruster valve response time · datasheet p.1
- Flight heritage
- Propulsion for JPL Mars Cube One (MarCO), the first interplanetary CubeSat datasheet p.1
- Satellite class
- CubeSat designed to control a 6U CubeSat · datasheet p.1 CubeSat for a 6U CubeSat
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 supplier10 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
- Total impulse
- 755 N-Sec
- Wet mass
- 3490 gram
- Performance density
- 354 N-sec/Liter
- Thrusters
- (4) Axial & (4) RCS 25 mN Thrusters
- Leakage protection
- Two Interrupts Against Leakage
- Standby power
- 0.5 Watt
- Interface
- RS422 Digital Interface
- Control features
- Controls Burn Type & Duration, Closed-Loop, Variable Thrust Control
- Thermal control
- (3) Settable Thermal Control Zones
- Electrical components
- (3) Power Supplies, (9) Valve Drivers
About
The VACCO JPL MarCO Micro Propulsion System is a pioneering micro propulsion unit, notable for being the first used on an interplanetary CubeSat (MarCO). It is a smart, self-contained propulsion module suitable for various 6U CubeSat designs. The system is constructed from all-welded aluminum and features a ‘system-in-a-tank’ design, integrating propellant storage, a feed system, thrusters, and a comprehensive controller and sensor suite. Key features include a total impulse of 755 N-Sec, a wet mass of 3490 grams, and a performance density of 354 N-sec/Liter. It is equipped with four axial and four RCS 25mN thrusters. The system incorporates two interrupts against leakage for enhanced reliability and operates with a standby power of 0.5 Watt. It is microcontroller-driven, offering an RS422 digital interface, control over burn type and duration, and closed-loop, variable thrust control. For thermal management, it includes three settable thermal control zones, three power supplies, and nine valve drivers.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.