ENPULSION NEO

The ENPULSION NEO thruster is the next step in FEEP technology evolution. By stepping up the number of ion emission sites by an order of magnitude compared to previous electrospray thrusters it allows high power and high thrust operation. The ENPULSION NEO thruster carries over the simplicity, ease of integration and unmatched impulse density of ENPULSION’s products.

Development and qualification of the ENPULSION NEO thruster is supported by the European Space Agency through the ARTES program. Qualification of the thruster system is scheduled to start early 2025.

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Data sheet PDF

Mature technology

The ENPULSION NEO builds on lessons learned from more than a hundred ENPULSION thrusters already in space. It draws on ENPULSION’s extensive production experience with FEEP propulsion systems across all types of missions.

EASE OF INTEGRATION

With no fluidic control system or external tanks, the ENPULSION NEO integration is as simple as bolting the thruster head and electronics on their respective panels and connecting the harness. The ENPULSION NEO is designed to fit within a 15 inch ESPA class separation ring.

REDUNDANCY

With approximately two thousand ion emission sites the thruster is inherently resilient to micro-damages. The electronics architecture is also designed around parallel high voltage supplies to increase system robustness.

DEBRIS SAFETY

Even during active operation, no part of the thruster is pressurized, and no chemical energy is stored. This increases debris safety and simplifies passivation. It also simplifies range operations.

HIGH SPECIFIC IMPULSE FOR LOW SYSTEM MASS

With its high specific impulse (> 2 500 s) and propellant density four times higher than xenon the ENPULSION NEO thruster system is both more compact and lighter than traditional EP systems.

COMMODITY PROPELLANT

Indium is the ideal alternative propellant. It is widely available metal primarily used in semi-conductor manufacturing. It is a by-product of zinc refining and has a yearly production of around 1.000 tons shared between several countries. It is non-toxic as well as unpressurised in all phases of integration and flight.

HIGH THRUST TO POWER RATIO

By scaling up main beam power and optimizing the operation point the efficiency and power thrust ratio are greatly improved compared to ENPULSION’s lower power propulsion systems.