TECHNOLOGY

RF Plasma Propulsion

Ambipolar propulsion systems based on magnetically enhanced RF plasma propulsion technology.

NO

ELECTRODES

PROPELLANT

FLEXIBILITY

NO

NEUTRALIZER

TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGES

SIMPLICITY

The thruster is characterized by a very simple structure: a dielectric cylindrical ionization chamber (discharge chamber), a radiofrequency (RF) antenna, a gas injection system, and a magnetic system for plasma confinement (within the chamber).

INNOVATIVE RF ANTENNA

We have developed and patented an innovative type of antenna to allow better coupling and easier matching in space applications.

THROTTLEABLE AND CONFIGURABLE

The system works at fixed point, but power and thrust levels can be set before each thrust event, allowing to optimize the maneuvers profiles during the mission.

NO NEUTRALIZER

The system ejects neutral plasma, so it does not require a neutralizer, simplifying the design and enhancing the reliability.

ROBUSTNESS AND LONG LIFETIME

The absence of grids, neutralizer, electrodes exposed to plasma, and any component subjected to deterioration implies that there are no components subjected to erosion, thus resulting in a very robust system with a long lifetime.

MULTI-PROPELLANT

The flexibility of this technology allows multiple propellants. We have an extensive expertise in using Iodine, Xenon, Argon, Krypton, and water vapour as propellant.

Discover REGULUS EP Systems

capabilities

We carry out research and development activities
through a extensive combined numerical-experimental investigations

We design, develop and test PPUs, RF networks, plasma sources and plasma thrusters.
We develop and optimize numerical codes for full thruster simulations and plasma plume spacecraft interactions.
We develop vacuum chambers combining different diagnostics and thrust balances for RF thruster testing.

TIMELINE

FUNDED PROJECTS

We are working on magnetically enhanced RF plasma technology propulsion systems since more than 10 years.
Starting from the sketch, we designed, manufactured, and tested our plasma systems, solving the stoppers for its maturation.

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2009
HPH.com, funded by the EC FP7 Project.
Consortium coordinated by the University of Padua, comprising 15 partners from EU nations and 2 ICPC countries.
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2012
SAPERE-STRONG, funded by MIUR.
Consortium coordinated by Thales Alenia Space Italia (TAS-I). Development of a 1kW class thruster for tug applications.
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2017
Development of an innovative Magnetically Enhanced RF plasma thruster suitable for small satellites, founded by EC SME Instrument Phase I.
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2020
REGULUS-150, funded by ESA.
A 150 W propulsion system development based on magnetically enhanced plasma thruster.
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2021
The cubesat dispenser UNISAT-7, developed by GAUSS, with REGULUS-50-I2 thruster has been launched
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2022
EarthNext, funded by ASI. Development of a REGULUS-50-I2 with a tank of 11000 Ns to perform station keeping of a 16U CubeSat in VLEO for Earth imaging.
Partners: Officina Stellare S.p.A. (prime), Aiko S.r.l., Planetek Italia S.r.l., TSD Space S.r.l., University of Naples
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2022
e.Inspector, funded by ESA. Life test of a REGULUS-50-I2 with a tank of 7000 Ns as de-risking for a CubeSat mission.
Partners: Politecnico di Milano (prime), Leonardo S.p.A., Leaf Space S.r.l.
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2022
VULCAIN, funded by ESA. Production of a REGULUS-50-I2 for station keeping and maneuvering of a constellation of 2 CubeSats in order to monitor vulcains on Earth.
Partners: Politecnico di Milano, Leonardo S.p.A., Leaf Space S.r.l., FlySight S.r.l., INGV
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2023
ATILIUS, funded by EU. Development of a new fluidic line and tank of the REGULUS family for Iodine feeding and storage, based on 3D printing with green and recycled powders and materials.
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2023
Development and test of a REGULUS-150-I2, a 150 W MEPT fed with solid Iodine as propellant, up to a TRL 8. Funded by ESA