Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Additively Manufactured Low Power Thrusters for Secondary Payloads
Project Description
Arctic Slope Technical Services, ASTS, is pleased to propose this innovative approach for reducing the cost and power requirements for an electrically-heated, stored gas thruster well-suited for use in small spacecraft and satellites (CubeSats and NanoSats especially). The thruster features exceptionally-high heat transfer from the heaters to the gas, which will provide excellent Isp performance at much lower power than traditional thrusters. We will also use an additive manufacturing approach, which will greatly reduce production costs.
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Anticipated Benefits
NASA applications include future CubeSat and NanoSat vehicles with large attitude control and/or orbital velocity changes, both of which require an active propulsion subsystem. Lunar Flashlight, a JPL-managed CubeSat that will be used to identify pockets of water ice on the Moon, is one such example.
University researchers all over the world use CubeSats at a fast, and increasing, rate. It represents a huge potential market that supports our commercialization goals. More »
University researchers all over the world use CubeSats at a fast, and increasing, rate. It represents a huge potential market that supports our commercialization goals. More »
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quadrus Advanced Manufacturing, LLC | Lead Organization | Industry | Huntsville, Alabama |
Glenn Research Center
(GRC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Cleveland, Ohio |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Alabama
-
Ohio
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