Scientists of the Moscow Aviation Institute (МАИ) announced the development Plasma engine Pulse is dedicated to small satellites, especially CubeSat class satellites, which are low-cost and fast-production space systems. The university confirmed to TASS that this innovation will significantly expand the operational capabilities of these satellites.
Why do CubeSat satellites need new engines?
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The small satellite industry is witnessing rapid growth due to:
Low cost of manufacturing
Easy to launch
Ability to form wide orbital groups
But these satellites rely on small solar panels to produce energy, which limits the capacity of their traditional engines, and makes limited maneuvering a major challenge.
Types of current engines and why is plasma the ideal alternative?
Several types of engines are being developed globally:
Chemical engines
Electric heat engines
Electrostatic motors
Pulsed plasma actuators
However, the new MAI engine is suitable for 6U satellites and above (1U size is 10 x 10 x 10 cm). It can perform basic tasks such as:
Controlling the position of the moon on the orbit
Change the orbit’s altitude
Maintaining satellite positions within orbital groups
Removing the moon from its orbit at the end of its operational life to contribute to reducing space debris
Technical difference: What distinguishes the new plasma engine?
Its main strength is the engine’s ability to accelerate plasma to very high speeds, allowing the generation of powerful and efficient thrust pulses.
It also features:
Lower cost compared to advanced engines
Simple design and free of expensive components
High ability to maintain constant propulsion throughout the mission
How does the engine work? Simplified explanation
The researchers at MAI described the mechanism of action as follows:
1. Energy storage in an electrolytic capacitor.
2. Sending power to the discharge channel.
3. Inside the channel, fluoroplast (Teflon) is vaporized, turning into plasma.
4. Acceleration of plasma particles via a strong electromagnetic field.
5. Plasma is ejected at high speed, generating a powerful impulse similar to a short but highly effective “bullet.”
This process provides very efficient propulsion for a small engine.
A promising project towards mass production
Currently, the engine is undergoing ground testing in preparation for flying tests. The team plans to launch series production of the engine in the future, becoming the first in a series of small engines being developed at MAI.
The project is supervised by the Research Institute for Applied Mechanics and Electrodynamics in cooperation with the Plasma and Vacuum Technologies Center Company.
