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Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)
The Spaceflight Testing of FEMTA Micropropulsion System for Interplanetary Smallsat project supports the development of a film-evaporation MEMS tunable array, or FEMTA. FEMTA is a non-toxic micropropulsion alternative for precision attitude control for small spacecraft missions. With a mass and thrust-to-power ratio significantly below current industry models, the technology uses deionized water as propellant and leverages surface tension to produce highly tunable thrust. This suborbital flight testing will demonstrate in-space operation of the FEMTA thruster with the vapor-pressure driven propellant management system.
Problem Statement FEMTA utilizes microscale effects in fluid surface tension and advanced MEMS microfabrication to achieve a highly tunable micropropulsion at a thrust-to-power ratio of 200 µN/W using pure water as propellant. Technical objectives of flight testing include (i) develop a spaceflight rated micropropulsion module; (ii) prove the operability of the propulsion module in spaceflight operating conditions (iii) verify the integrity of the FEMTA thruster under spaceflight loading conditions.
Technology Maturation The flight testing will be carried out on New Shepard Launch Vehicle in an external payload locker exposed to vacuum. During ascent and while the ambient pressure is less than 10 kPa, the zero-g tank will vent to equalize with the environment. Once in zero-g, a valve will open to allow propellant to flow from the propellant tanks to a collection chamber. The FEMTAs will be powered during this time to simulated operation.
Summary of Flight Test
2025-02-04 The Film Evaporation MEMS Tunable Array (FEMTA) is a microthruster that uses liquid water as propellant for attitude control of small satellites. The FEMTA suborbital flight experiment served as a testbed for evaluating the FEMTA thruster and a vapor-pressure-driven propellant tank in microgravity. The mission was successful in gathering valuable operational data, which will be used as a benchmark for validation of simulations and ground testing of the zero-G propellant tank and FEMTA thruster. The FEMTA Suborbital Experiment was the first demonstration of FEMTA system components in a space environment, advancing the technology from TRL-4 to TRL-6.
This technology uses water surface tension to provide highly tunable low-power attitude and thermal control. In this way, FEMTA enables in-situ resource utilization for propellant and reduces overall small spacecraft mission costs. This would benefit NASA missions, the commercial space industry, and other government agencies.
Future Customers
• Small spacecraft in low-Earth orbit and beyond
• Deployable structures like antennas, solar sails, and sunshields
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