Nano-thrusters for Nano-Satellites

Ionfinity together with its partners, the NASA/Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Aerospace Corporation propose to develop and demonstrate an innovative nano-propulsion system that incorporates a machined electrostatic ion generator that provides direct and complete ionization of propellant gas, the efficient acceleration of ions, a micromachined neutralizing mechanism that prevents spacecraft charging, a compact efficient high voltage power supply, and a micromachined multi-wafer ion engine. In Phase I we demonstrated that the JPL-invented Soft Ionization Membrane is suitable to ionize propellant gasses and we have refined the design of the ion thruster. The nanothruster itself will be built and demonstrated in Phase II.