PULSED PLASMA THRUSTERS
Busek’s micro-Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (μPPTs) have been in development since 2002 based upon
technology originally developed at AFRL. These simple units feature no moving parts and non-toxic Teflon
propellant. Each unit contains all the necessary electronics (PPU/DCIU), requiring only power and command
input from the host spacecraft. Smaller, more advanced units are in active development for CubeSat propulsion
systems. Generally, these thrusters offer the following benefits:
•
Low jitter precision manoeuvres
•
Non-toxic solid Teflon propellant
•
No moving parts, no pressurized containers
•
Long storage life
•
Large temperature range
μPPT-1 (MPACS)
Four 3-axis μPPTs, or MPACS (Micro Propulsion Attitude Control System), have successfully flown on
FalconSat-3 (launched 2007). These thruster clusters, pictured at right, feature the following
•
Precise, pulsed impulse bits (80μN-s)
•
Direct flight heritage
•
Solid propellant – no pressurized containers, no moving parts
•
Low power: < 10W
μPPT-2
A multiplexed array of 9 μPPTs was constructed and delivered to the Air Force Institute of Technology as a lab-
model test unit. This unit featured flight heritage μPPTs technology, increased the amount of total impulse of
the MPACS unit while decreasing required power and digital electronics.
BmP-220
The latest generation of the μPPT family consumes less than 7.5W, 0.5kg and provides both primary and
attitude control propulsion for CubeSats. This unit fits within a 10 x 10 x 7cm volume and includes all
necessary power, charging, and digital interface electronics. Total impulse is 220 N-s.
technology originally developed at AFRL. These simple units feature no moving parts and non-toxic Teflon
propellant. Each unit contains all the necessary electronics (PPU/DCIU), requiring only power and command
input from the host spacecraft. Smaller, more advanced units are in active development for CubeSat propulsion
systems. Generally, these thrusters offer the following benefits:
•
Low jitter precision manoeuvres
•
Non-toxic solid Teflon propellant
•
No moving parts, no pressurized containers
•
Long storage life
•
Large temperature range
μPPT-1 (MPACS)
Four 3-axis μPPTs, or MPACS (Micro Propulsion Attitude Control System), have successfully flown on
FalconSat-3 (launched 2007). These thruster clusters, pictured at right, feature the following
•
Precise, pulsed impulse bits (80μN-s)
•
Direct flight heritage
•
Solid propellant – no pressurized containers, no moving parts
•
Low power: < 10W
μPPT-2
A multiplexed array of 9 μPPTs was constructed and delivered to the Air Force Institute of Technology as a lab-
model test unit. This unit featured flight heritage μPPTs technology, increased the amount of total impulse of
the MPACS unit while decreasing required power and digital electronics.
BmP-220
The latest generation of the μPPT family consumes less than 7.5W, 0.5kg and provides both primary and
attitude control propulsion for CubeSats. This unit fits within a 10 x 10 x 7cm volume and includes all
necessary power, charging, and digital interface electronics. Total impulse is 220 N-s.
DATASHEETS
