Electric Propulsion for Space

Resources to Download

Electric Propulsion in Space Applications Overview  

Whitepaper, "Specifying a Capacitor for Space-Based Applications"  

__________________________

Supported Platforms

• Ion Thrusters

• Vacuum Arc Thruster

• Hall Effect Thrusters

• Pulsed Plasma Thrusters

SWaP-optimized; the most power-dense in the industry

Meets power demands while sustaining high repetition rates

Ultra-low ESR; can store and discharge energy quickly

Leakage Current (DCL) ensures that stored energy is not lost over time

Reliable across wide temperature range

Ruggedized to withstand high altitude, extreme shock and vibration

Hermetically sealed - RAD hard

High reliability 

Long service life 

Unlimited shelf life

Routinely screened and qualified to NASA IEEE-INST-002; approved by ESA

Lead-free and RoHS compliant available

Engineers designing electric propulsion systems must carefully select an energy storage solution that exhibits high power density, ultra-low ESR, resilience to harsh space conditions, and the capacity to sustain a high repetition rate in order to meet the power demands of the thruster system.

Our Solution

Quantic Evans "space-grade" capacitors are the most power dense capacitors in the industry and can meet the power demands of a thruster system while sustaining a high repetition rate. They provide  significant savings of space, weight, and power when compared to traditional capacitor technologies such as tantalum solid or aluminum polymer.

The hermetically sealed design allows for operation  in the vacuum of space and the tantalum case gives our capacitors their designation as RAD-hard. Rugged construction makes them well suited to handle extreme shock and vibration environments.

Electric Propulsion is a class of space propulsion that uses electrical power to accelerate a propellant. Unlike chemical propulsion systems, electric propulsion requires very little mass to accelerate a spacecraft, and is only limited in energy by the available electrical power on board the spacecraft. Electric propulsion is suitable for lowthrust, long-duration applications on board spacecrafts. Electric propulsion systems also give a spacecraft the ability to maintain or change its orbit, avoid collisions, and execute end-of-life deorbiting. Electric propulsion systems are well suited for all mission needs for satellites weighing from 5 kg to 1,000 kg.

A Thruster is the spacecraft propulsion device used for orbital station-keeping, attitude control, or low-thrust, long-duration acceleration.