MIT developed microthrusters could propel small satellites

There is a clutter of 'CubeSats', tiny nano satellites in orbit. Pushing them around, orienting and such chores are difficult using conventional thrusters.
MIT researchers have developed micro thrusters that use ion beams generated by a thruster that looks more like an IC chip, which bears promise to handle these jobs. Nano for nano.
Out of box? Out of space engineering!

Designfax – Technology for OEM Design Engineers

Replies

  • Ankita Katdare
    Ankita Katdare
    True. CEan Madhumitha wrote an article discussing the same on VoiCE -
    #-Link-Snipped-#
  • Ramani Aswath
    Ramani Aswath
    AbraKaDabra
    True. CEan Madhumitha wrote an article discussing the same on VoiCE -
    #-Link-Snipped-#
    I keep forgetting to check Voice entries before posting. Should be more careful in future.
  • Ashraf HZ
    Ashraf HZ
    Back when I was working in a CubeSat concept design in uni, propulsion was a huge challenge. Our team experimented with chemical propellants and all.

    Mini Ion thrusters will be give a huge boost to CubeSat development for sure!Though The orbit must probably be higher that 400km to avoid atmospheric drag, seeing the thrust output is relatively small.

    AbraKaDabra
    True. CEan Madhumitha wrote an article discussing the same on VoiCE -
    #-Link-Snipped-#
    Hi AKD, the link seems broken 😔

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