Modular Xenon Micro Electric Propulsion System

While CubeSats have begun to disrupt the entire satellite industry, a lack of adequate propulsion options continues to limit their adoption beyond experimental missions. Rideshare restrictions limit CubeSats to the non-optimal orbits into which the primary mission delivers them, and often leaves them unable to maintain their orbits against drag from Earth’s upper atmosphere. This restricts CubeSat utility for commercial, persistent Earth science, or interplanetary missions. ExoTerra’s Modular Xenon Micro Electric Propulsion System is a high-impulse propulsion system that enables CubeSats to alter or maintain their orbits and to perform affordable, targeted science missions throughout the inner solar system. The integrated system provides 4-33 mN of thrust and 48-73 kNs of impulse at an Isp from 700-1500 s using a micro-Hall Effect Thruster, and can package in 6 or 9 U of volume to meet the tight constraints of CubeSats. The propulsion system consists of the Xenon propellant and distribution system, a high efficiency PPU that is radiation tolerant to 100krad, the Halo thruster and TVC. The system achieves >.15 mN/Usc, >5 kNs/Up and <1.3 kg/Up.