![]() ![]() These provide a snippet of the technical details that are necessary to evaluate as part of your selection process. Integration requirements – Do you require a simple plug-and-play system? Or do your CubeSat’s needs and mission parameters dictate a more customizable solution?.Thruster delta-V capability – What changes in velocity does the thruster need to produce in order to carry out the maneuvers required in the mission?.Operating power – What power supply can your CubeSat use to operate the thruster? What input will work best with other systems and maintain safety and efficiency?.Flight heritage – Is this thruster fully tested in space? You need to know that the system will survive the launch and operate as expected in microgravity, so it is important to look at the product’s history.Both classes of propulsion technologies can perform very well for CubeSats and should be evaluated for any potential system. Electric or chemical – This is a big debate and beyond this article to go into in detail.Specific impulse – What specific impulse values are required for your CubeSat and intended applications?.Size and weight – Will it fit? Is it too heavy? The physical volume (usually expressed in CubeSat units / U) and on-Earth weight determine what other components can be used in the unit and impact transport and launch costs.Some of the potential key specifications and performance criteria to evaluate are: Now you’re armed with the knowledge of what the thruster needs to do, work alongside and fit within, you can make an informed decision from the available products, based on your required performance characteristics. We also provide an overview of a number of propulsion products on the market, listed on the satsearch platform to help you select the best option. To help navigate these criteria, in this article we look at some of the factors that should be taken into account to make this decision. The rapid growth of the NewSpace sector has led to greater use of modular components, such as CubeSat thrusters, while electronic miniaturization is also enabling new satellite setups and capabilities that need to be considered. Selecting the most appropriate thruster product for a CubeSat can be a tricky challenge, but is a critical step for any mission or service requiring inspace maneuverability and control. Alternatively, if you’d like to list your products and services on satsearch, get started here. In this article, we provide a gentle primer to the topic of selecting a thruster for a smallsat mission, and give an overview of some of the propulsion products making waves within the global marketplace for space.ĭo you know of any smallsat thrusters that we’ve missed? Please drop us a note at or on Twitter. Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of activity in the smallsat propulsion world, driven by technology breakthroughs, industry commercialization, and private investment. This is particularly important for the slew of LEO and MEO constellations currently being developed, as constellation control will be an important factor in the success of these ventures. There is growing demand for in-space propulsion systems that enable small satellites to achieve attitude and orbit control, orbital transfers, and end-of-life deorbiting. ![]()
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