For the first time in Europe: ESA unveils innovative facility to propel small satellites

The European Space Agency (ESA) and a Spanish technology company (IENAI Space) have presented a variant of an economical engine that will drive CubeSats and other small satellites. For the first time in Europe, this electric spray ion-liquid propulsion system has achieved more than 400 hours of continuous of continuous operation. This was reported by UNN with reference to Space Daily.

Context

The innovative engine system with electric spraying is called ATHENA. The development is a palm-sized device that has seven arrays of emitters etched on a silicon wafer using micro- and and nanotechnology, and contains more than 500 hole-sized emitters, that sputter ions accelerated by an electrostatic field to achieve maximum thrust.

The "electric spray" technology is being developed as a cost-effective method of propelling CubeSats and other small satellites. The ion-liquid propulsion system is reported to have achieved more than 400 hours of continuous operation.

The unique ATHENA's unique propulsion mechanism is based on conductive ionic liquid salts that serve as fuel. as fuel. These liquids pass through nanotextured conical emitters and then accelerated between the emitter and the extractor, which operate at different electrical potentials. The interaction between the surface tension of the liquid and the electrostatic field leads to the formation of ions, which can be ejected at a speed of at a speed of about 20 km/s, creating the necessary force to propel the satellite.

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One of the most of the most remarkable features of the ATHENA system is its ability to adjust thrust using using environmentally friendly, non-toxic "green" fuel. This technology contributes to the safety and simplicity of satellite design. The developed system can be freely combined into groups as needed, up to six units, which are are installed on a 10-centimeter surface of one satellite unit.

Developing the new technology we have created from scratch has not been easy, but we are confident that our engines will stand out in the market with their incredible performance and customization options; and in fact, we have already been approached by a number of industry stakeholders

Addendum

Currently, the project has passed the preliminary examination, and its final product should be ready by the end of of next year. The development was supported by the ESA's General Technology Technology Support Program of the ESA, which prepares innovative products and services for space spaceflight and the open market.

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