ELECTRIC PROPULSION

REGULUS FAMILY

Robust, versatile, and cost-effective propulsion systems using iodine propellant for small satellites, deployers, and OTVs.

REGULUS-50-I2

REGULUS-50-I2 is the smallest electric propulsion system of the REGULUS family and is T4i first product launched in 2021.

There are three versions available to address different mission profiles; small, medium, and large with 3 kNs, 7 kNs, and 11 kNs of total impulse respectively.

REGULUS-150-I2

A scale-up version of REGULUS-50 with enhanced performance to address the in-space mobility needs of micro- and minisatellites.

Its high modularity results in two configurations; as a single Plug&Play system to be easily integrated, or separated subsystems to optimize the volumetric efficiency of the satellite.

MAIN FEATURES

REGULUS-50-I2
SMALL

REGULUS-50-I2
MEDIUM

REGULUS-50-I2
LARGE

REGULUS-150-I2

Total Impulse [Ns] 3000 7000 11000 11000
Thrust [mN] 0.25 – 0.65 (0.55 @ 50 W) 0.25 – 0.65 (0.55 @ 50 W) 0.25 – 0.65 (0.55 @ 50 W) 0.55 – 2.00 (2.00 @ 150 W)
Specific Impulse [s] 650 (550 @ 50 W) 650 (550 @ 50 W) 650 (550 @ 50 W) 550 – 800 (800 @ 150 W)
Input Power [W] 30 – 60 (50 W nominal) 30 – 60 (50 W nominal) 30 – 60 (50 W nominal) 50 – 150 (150 W nominal)
Volume [mm] 93.8 x 95.0 x 151.0 93.8 x 95.0 x 200.0 93.8 x 95.0 x 250.0 120.0 x 120.0 x 343.5
Weight (wet) [kg] 2.9 4.1 6 9.5
Electric Interface 12 V DC regulated 12 V DC regulated 12 V DC regulated 24 – 32 V DC
Communications CAN-bus or I2C with CSP protocol CAN-bus or I2C with CSP protocol CAN-bus or I2C with CSP protocol CAN-bus or I2C with CSP protocol

REGULUS-50-I2
SMALL

Total Impulse [Ns] 3000
Thrust [mN] 0.25 – 0.65 (0.55 @ 50 W)
Specific Impulse [s] 650 (550 @ 50 W)
Input Power [W] 30 – 60 (50 W nominal)
Volume [mm] 93.8 x 95.0 x 151.0
Weight (wet) [kg] 2.5
Electric Interface 12 V DC regulated
Communications CAN-bus or I2C with CSP protocol

REGULUS-50-I2
MEDIUM

Total Impulse [Ns] 7000
Thrust [mN] 0.25 – 0.65 (0.55 @ 50 W)
Specific Impulse [s] 650 (550 @ 50 W)
Input Power [W] 30 – 60 (50 W nominal)
Volume [mm] 93.8 x 95.0 x 180.0
Weight (wet) [kg] 4
Electric Interface 12 V DC regulated
Communications CAN-bus or I2C with CSP protocol

REGULUS-50-I2
LARGE

Total Impulse [Ns] 11000
Thrust [mN] 0.25 – 0.65 (0.55 @ 50 W)
Specific Impulse [s] 650 (550 @ 50 W)
Input Power [W] 30 – 60 (50 W nominal)
Volume [mm] 93.8 x 95.0 x 200.0
Weight (wet) [kg] 5.1
Electric Interface 12 V DC regulated
Communications CAN-bus or I2C with CSP protocol

REGULUS-150-I2

Total Impulse [Ns] 11000
Thrust [mN] 2
Specific Impulse [s] 1000
Input Power [W] 50 – 150 (150 W nominal)
Volume [mm] 120.0 x 120.0 x 270.0
Weight (wet) [kg] 6.1
Electric Interface 24-32 V DC
Communications CAN-bus or I2C with CSP protocol

APPLICATIONS

REGULUS EP systems enable new mission scenarios and efficiently make in-track maneuvers possible, compensate drag in VLEO, and perform end-of-life operations.

ALTITUDE CHANGES

PHASING / STATION KEEPING

DECOMMISSIONING

CONTINUOUS DRAG COMPENSATION

TIMELINE

REGULUS​ FUNDED​ PROGRAMS​

\
2021

Launch

The smallest thruster of the REGULUS family, REGULUS-50-I2, is launched for its In Orbit Demonstration mission.
\
2022

EarthNext

Within the EarthNext program, funded by ASI, a REGULUS-50-I2 large (i.e., Itot of 11 kNs) will be developed to perform the station keeping operations in VLEO of an EO 16U cubesat.​
\
2022

e.Inspector

e.Inspector is an ESA-funded program that includes the life test of a REGULUS-50-I2 medium (i.e., Itot of 7 kNs) as a de-risking strategy for a cubesat mission.​
\
2022

VULCAIN

Within the ESA-funded program VULCAIN, a REGULUS-50-I2 small will be manufactured for station keeping and to operate a constellation of 2 cubesats, whose mission is to monitor the vulcainic activity on Earth. ​
\
2023

ATILIUS

ATILIUS is a program funded by the European Commission to develop a new fluidic line and a tank for feeding and storage of the iodine for all the REGULUS family propulsion systems, leveraging the most innovative 3D printing technologies and using green and recycled powders and materials.​
\
2023

REGULUS-150-I2

Through an ESA GSTP contract, REGULUS-150-I2 thruster will be developed and qualified to reach TRL8.​