ENPULSION NANO

The ENPULSION NANO has been developed and extensively tested in cooperation with the European Space Agency. First thrusters have been successfully demonstrated in orbit in January 2018!

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Data sheet PDF

ENPULSION NANO

The ENPULSION NANO has been developed and extensively tested in cooperation with the European Space Agency. First thrusters have been successfully demonstrated in orbit in January 2018!

Order now

FLIGHT HERITAGE

The ENPULSION NANO was successfully verified in orbit in early 2018, performing independently confirmed orbit changes. Over 80 propulsion units have been launched on various spacecraft by mid 2021.

Mature technology

The ENPULSION NANO is a mature technology, developed under ESA contracts for 15 years. In this time more than 100 emitters have been tested and an ongoing lifetime test has demonstrated more than 20.000 hours of firing without degradation of the emitter performance.

Dynamic precise thrust control

The thrust can be controlled through the electrode voltages, providing excellent controllability over the full thrust range and a low thrust noise.

Controllable specific impulse up to 6,000 S

Due to the efficient ionization process which allows one to ionize up to 60% of the evaporated indium atoms, the ENPULSION NANO can provide a higher specific impulse than any other ion propulsion system currently on the market.

SAFE AND INERT SYSTEM
COMPLIANT DURING LAUNCH

The ENPULSION NANO contains no moving parts and the propellant is in its solid state at room temperature. Avoiding any liquid and reactive propellants as well as pressurized tanks significantly simplifies handling, integration and launch procedures.

Redundant neutralizer cathodes

As the ENPULSION NANO expels an ion current of up to 4 mA, the module needs a method to prevent spacecraft charging. This is achieved by the use of two cold-redundant electron sources acting as neutralizers. Once electrons have left the neutralizer, they will be pulled towards the positive potential of the ion plume. The PPU is able to measure and control this charge balancing electron current.

COMPACT BUILDING BLOCKS

The ENPULSION NANO is used as a compact pre-qualified building block in order to provide custom solutions at a commodity price and ultra-short lead times. Although building blocks are completely self-contained propulsion systems, the whole cluster can be operated as a single plug-and-play unit.