ESA’s Miniature Pinhole Thruster Enters Production Phase

Rocket propulsion has evolved significantly from ancient rocket-powered weapons to cutting-edge technologies propelling our space exploration. ATHENA, a palm-sized thruster system developed by a team led by Daniel Perez Grande, CEO and Co-Founder of IENAI Spain, represents a revolutionary leap in advancing tiny spacecraft across the vastness of space.

In contrast to colossal rockets like the Saturn V, which carried Apollo astronauts to the moon, ATHENA’s palm-sized thrusters are designed for maneuvering and propelling cubesats and small satellites once in space, not for launching rockets from Earth’s surface.

ATHENA: Adaptable Thruster with Electrospray Nanotechnology

Named after its functionality, ATHENA stands for the Adaptable THruster based on Electrospray powered NAnotechnology. Developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), the technology utilizes Electrospray, previously employed in mass spectrometry.

ATHENA’s seven emitter arrays on silicon wafers each house 500 pinhole emitters, propelling electrically charged particles via an electrostatic field to achieve thrust at speeds up to 20 km per second—akin to existing ion propulsion systems but in a compact form.

Eco-Friendly and Configurable

Beyond its compact size, ATHENA boasts eco-friendliness, utilizing a non-toxic liquid fuel that requires no pressurized storage tanks. Highly adjustable and reconfigurable mid-flight, these thrusters can be clustered on satellites and probes, with six fitting the face of a typical 10-cm cubesat. The team aspires to develop the technology for use on crafts up to 300 kg.

As space technology continues to miniaturize, propulsion systems face the challenge of scaling down. ATHENA and other electrospray-based thruster systems developed by ESA and partners showcase promising results, marking a significant stride in compact and efficient space propulsion.

Read the original article on Universe Today.

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