Efficient Propulsion for the Next Era of Space Exploration

Introduction

The space industry is experiencing a surge of innovation, with small satellites and CubeSats leading the charge. As missions demand more precision, longer durations, and cost-effective solutions, propulsion systems need to be lightweight, efficient, and reliable. Our micro-cathode arc thruster technology delivers on all these fronts, offering a highly effective propulsion system for small-scale spacecraft and satellite missions.

The Challenge

Traditional propulsion systems, while effective for large spacecraft, are often too bulky, inefficient, or costly to scale down for small satellites and CubeSats. As the demand for these smaller satellites grows, especially in communications, Earth observation, and scientific research, there’s a need for propulsion systems that can deliver reliable thrust in a compact form factor, while maintaining high efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The Solution

Our micro-cathode arc thruster technology provides a compact, scalable solution to propulsion challenges for small satellites and CubeSats. It generates thrust using a cathode arc, ejecting ionized material to produce propulsion with minimal fuel consumption. This technology enables precise maneuvering, orbit adjustments, and station-keeping for small satellites, ensuring they remain operational and effective throughout their mission lifecycle.

Key Benefits

Compact and Lightweight Design: The micro-cathode arc thruster is designed specifically for small spacecraft. Its compact size and lightweight nature make it the ideal solution for CubeSats and other small satellites, where space and mass are at a premium.
High Efficiency with Low Fuel Consumption: This thruster operates with minimal fuel requirements, allowing satellites to extend their operational life without the need for frequent refueling. This is especially important for long-duration missions where fuel efficiency is critical.
Precision Control: Our thruster provides precise control over satellite movement, enabling accurate orbit adjustments, station-keeping, and de-orbiting maneuvers. This is crucial for both commercial and scientific missions that require fine-tuned propulsion capabilities.

Why License This Technology?

Licensing this micro-cathode arc thruster technology offers aerospace companies and satellite manufacturers a cutting-edge propulsion solution that meets the demands of modern space missions. It allows for efficient, precise, and cost-effective propulsion for small spacecraft, ensuring mission success while optimizing fuel usage and reducing operational costs.

Conclusion

As the commercial space industry continues to grow, propulsion systems must evolve to keep pace with smaller, more agile spacecraft. By licensing this micro-cathode arc thruster, you’ll have access to a propulsion system that’s ready to meet the challenges of the future of space exploration.

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Abstract
Claims

A satellite thruster increases satellite efficiency. The Linear Actuated μCAT has a stepper motor to move the ablative electrode forward. A LabVIEW program and Arduino microcontroller are used to analyze the Linear Actuated μCAT to determine how many steps are required for re-ignition, arc current, and the validity of the feed system. Results from testing show that micro-stepping the stepper motor is an effective way to replenish the cannibalized electrode for propellant.

The invention claimed is:

1. An arc thruster comprising:

an anode;

a cathode;

an advancement apparatus attached to the cathode comprising:

a motion generator;

a coupling device fixedly connected to said motion generator and movably connected to said cathode; and

a linear guide member slidably connected to said cathode to linearly move the cathode with respect to the anode and prevent said cathode from rotating with respect to said anode.

2. The arc thruster of claim 1, further comprising a dielectric insulator between the cathode and the anode, said dielectric insulator insulating the cathode and the anode, wherein the anode surrounds at least a portion of the cathode.

3. The arc thruster of claim 1, wherein said anode surrounds said cathode, and further comprising a sensor that detects a position of a distal end face of said cathode and a controller for controlling movement of said advancement apparatus, wherein said controller receives the position and controls the motion generator to move said cathode upon sensing that the distal end face of said cathode cathode is greater than a pre-determined distance from a distal end face of said anode.

4. The arc thruster of claim 3, wherein said controller moves the distal end face of the cathode toward the distal end face of said anode until the distal end face of the cathode is substantially level with the distal end face of said anode.

5. The arc thruster of claim 1, wherein said coupling device has a coupling device threaded portion and said cathode has a cathode threaded portion, wherein the coupling device threaded portion of said coupling device is threadably connected to the cathode threaded portion of said cathode.

6. The arc thruster of claim 5, wherein said motion generator comprises a motor which rotates said coupling device to screw or unscrew said coupling device from said cathode.

7. The arc thruster of claim 1, wherein said cathode comprises a rod and said coupling device comprises a tube.

8. The arc thruster of claim 1, wherein the anode comprises one of Iron, Titanium, Tungsten or Copper.

9. The arc thruster of claim 1, wherein the cathode comprises one of Iron, Titanium, Tungsten or Copper.

10. The arc thruster of claim 1, wherein the dielectric insulator comprises one of a ceramic material, Boron Nitride, Mica, or Alumina.

11. The arc thruster of claim 1, further comprising a frame having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein said motion generator is connected at the proximal end and a thruster head is connected at the distal end.

12. The arc thruster of claim 11, wherein a distal end face of said anode and a distal end face of said cathode are aligned at the thruster head and provide an arc discharge at the thruster head.

13. The arc thruster of claim 1, further comprising a housing, said advancement apparatus connected to said housing, whereby said motion generator rotates said coupling device with respect to said housing, and wherein said linear guide member is fixedly connected to said housing.

14. The arc thruster of claim 1, said cathode having a guide section with at least one flat surface, said guide section engaging said linear guide member to prevent rotation of said cathode with respect to said anode.

15. A method of operating an arc thruster having a cathode, an anode insulated by a dielectric insulator, a stepping motor and a rod, the method comprising:

providing impulse bits to the cathode and the anode insulated by the dielectric insulator to generate an arc;

sensing a level of ablation of the cathode;

activating the stepping motor connected to the cathode through the rod to actuate the cathode to move linearly forward to compensate for the ablation upon sensing the level of the cathode is below a pre-determined value,

while preventing rotation of the cathode with respect to the anode.

16. The method of operating the arc thruster of claim 15, wherein the rod and the cathode are engaged via helical ridges formed on a surface of an end of the rod and additional helical ridges formed on a surface of an end of the cathode, wherein upon activation of the stepping motor, the helical ridges and the additional helical ridges engage transforming a rotary motion of the rod into a linear motion to actuate the cathode, and wherein a guide member prevents rotation of the cathode with respect to the anode.

17. The method of operating the arc thruster of claim 15, wherein the predetermined value is a value in relation to a level of the anode.

18. The method of operating the arc thruster of claim 17, wherein the stepping motor is activated until the cathode is level with the anode.

19. The method of operating the arc thruster of claim 15, wherein the impulse bits are of approximately 1 uNs or higher.

20. An arc thruster comprising:

a frame having a frame proximal end and a frame distal end;

a thruster head connected to the frame distal end;

a cathode having a cathode distal end with a cathode distal end face;

an anode having an anode distal end with an anode distal end face, said anode surrounding said cathode;

a coupling device movably connected to said cathode;

a motor connected to the frame proximal end and connected to said coupling device, wherein said motor moves said coupling device with respect to said anode whereby said anode distal end face is level with said cathode distal end face; and

further comprising a guide member movably connected to said cathode to move said cathode with respect to said anode and to prevent rotation of said cathode with respect to said anode.

Title

Micro-cathode arc thruster

Inventor(s)

Michael Keidar, George Teel, Samantha A. HURLEY

Assignee(s)

George Washington University

Patent #

10738776

Patent Date

August 11, 2020