Precision Ion Nano Thruster

We are proposing the development of a new miniaturized and low power nano-thruster instrument, the Precision Ion Nano-Thruster (PINT) to perform very fine thrusting for precision attitude and trajectory control of space platforms.The precision actuator design builds on previous RD results and experience, and proven technologies developed in collaborations between Espace Inc. and the MIT Space Propulsion Laboratory and includes new electrospray emitters (tested in Phase I) designed and optimized to operate in the pure ionic regime, for exceptional stability, thrust resolution and extended lifetimes. The development effort focuses on the precision control of small thrusts and impulses and the minimization of foot-prints.The PINT thrusters represent a mission-enabling technology with significant size, weight and power, cost, and performance (SWaP-CP) improvements over the state-of-the-art commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) capabilities, thus satisfying Scope 1 of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Sensors and Actuators requirements. Within Scope 1 they are also actuators that enable arcsecond-level control capabilities for large space telescopes, with improvements in SWaP requirementsand can be applicable to support milliarcsecond-class pointing performance on spaceborne pointing platforms.The ultimate objective of the PINT development is a rugged, industrially and economically manufactured miniature instrument providing high precision controlled thrusts and impulses for advanced space platforms. The PINT thrusters will be fabricated and characterized during Phase II, and several prototypes will be delivered for qualification and flight tests. We are proposing the development of a new miniaturized and low power “nano-thruster” instrument, the Precision Ion Nano-Thruster (PINT) to perform very fine thrusting for precision attitude and trajectory control of space platforms.The precision actuator design builds on previous R&D results and experience, and proven technologies developed in collaborations between Espace Inc. and the MIT Space Propulsion Laboratory. It includes a new generation of electrospray emitters (tested in Phase I) designed to operate in the pure ionic regime, for exceptional stability, thrust resolution and extended lifetimes. The development effort focuses on the precision control of small thrusts and impulses and the minimization of foot-prints.The PINT thrusters represent “a mission-enabling technology” satisfying Scope 1 of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Sensors and Actuators requirements with “SWaP-CP improvements” and allowing “milliarcsecond-class pointing performance on spaceborne pointing platforms” The ultimate objective of the PINT development is a rugged, industrially and economically manufactured miniature instrument to provide high precision controlled thrusts and impulses for advanced space platforms.PINT preliminary requirements and designs developed in Phase I will be reviewed with NASA at the onset of Phase II. The Phase II objectives include the continued fabrication and extensive performance and lifetime tests of micro thrusters using optimized emitters built with selected new materials under tightly controlled micro-fabrication processes. The upgraded emitter technology will insure operations in the pure ionic regime, and enhance output stability and device lifetime.A parallel objective is the fabrication and tests of electronics designed for high precision control of the thruster output and of pulse durations, with capability for very small impulses. Electronics engineering models (EM) will be tested along with thrusters, and two (2) EM boards will be delivered to NASA. After review of the test results and decisions, involving the NASA COTR team and concerning the final configuration for the PINT instrument, prototype assemblies will be constructed, integrated and tested, toward the final delivery of three (3) prototype/protoflight models ready for qualification and flight tests.

The PINT thruster applications are in high precision control of space platforms attitude or trajectories. Potential user projects include: fractionated observatories with tight relative pointing and positioning requirements; multi-element interferometric instruments; constellations; lunar or interplanetary  probes with fine trajectory adjustments; optical or laser systems with tight pointing and stabilization. PINT has applications in NASA science missions for astrophysics, heliophysics, and geophysics and in interplanetary or lunar probes. The PINT thruster applications are in high precision control of space platforms attitude or trajectories. Potential uses include: constellation fine control, sensor or laser systems tight pointing and stabilization, orbital management, station keeping, risk mitigation, drag compensation.

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