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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 5)
The overall objective of this IRAD will be to develop a propulsion system that can be cheaply and reliably used for NASA GSFC cubesat missions. Reliability will be improved by using a force balance that can be used to accurately quantify the thrust from cubesat propulsion systems. Cost will be reduced by combining innovative combinations of propulsion systems. At the end of FY2016, a cheap and reliable propulsion system will be tested on the thrust stand, and a plan will be developed to deliver a propulsion system to one of the NASA GSFC cubesat teams.
While there are many systems that show potential, and GSFC has invested heavily in the development of the George Washington University (GWU) Micro Cathode Arc Thruster (mCAT), there are further developments that need to be made to arrive at a reliable system with high performance that is practical for a cubesat. One of the primary challenges for propulsion has been the issue of pressurization for a typical propulsion system.
The payoff to NASA is to make a propulsion system readily available for use with NASA and partnership cubesat missions. Reliable, cheap, and high-performance Cubesat propulsion is potentially enabling for a wide range of missions.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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