Mon, May 13, 2019
Will Develop Low-Power Magnetically Shielded Hall Thruster For The Agency
Apollo Fusion has been awarded an exclusive, worldwide commercial license to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) MaSMi (Magnetically Shielded Miniature) Hall thruster, the world's first low-power (≤1.0 kW) magnetically shielded Hall thruster. MaSMi has demonstrated class-leading performance with a peak total efficiency of 54%, a peak total specific impulse of 1940 s, and an estimated throughput capability of >330 pounds Xe. MaSMi is a key component of JPL's ASTRAEUS (Ascendant Sub-kW Transcelestial Electric Propulsion System), a low-power electric propulsion (EP) system optimized for use on smallsats. In support of ASTRAEUS, Apollo was awarded a contract to manufacture three engineering model MaSMi-EM thrusters for JPL this summer.
Apollo is also designing a commercial version of this thruster called AXE (Apollo Xenon Engine) following an internal design-for-manufacturing process. The design-for-manufacturing improvements will enable AXE to be rapidly mass-manufactured for large constellation customers.
"We're absolutely thrilled to be working with NASA JPL and with Dr. Ryan Conversano, the PI of ASTRAEUS and the inventor of MaSMi. The MaSMi thruster that we now have the exclusive license for can produce more than 2,000,000 N-s of total impulse and yet is about the size of a soda can," said Apollo CEO Mike Cassidy. "We've heard many times that our propulsion system's high performance coupled with our rapid, high-volume manufacturing is enabling new space missions and constellations. This new relationship with NASA JPL further demonstrates that Apollo can deliver for these new constellations."
In addition to the NASA JPL thruster that Apollo has licensed, the smaller Apollo Constellation Engine (ACE) provides outstanding performance at only 400 watts: 24 mN of thrust, 200,000 kN-s of total impulse, 10 pounds of dry mass. This is about three times the total impulse per unit mass of any competitive propulsion system and about three times the total impulse per unit volume of any competitive propulsion system on the market today (for 110 to 1,100-pound smallsats).
(Image provided with Apollo Fusion news release)
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]