High Specific-impulse Electrospray Explorer for Deep-space (HiSPEED)

The overall objective of this project is to enable small satellite deep space exploration with a small electric propulsion system. The proposed propulsion system has multiple, staged electrospray thruster arrays to provide the SmallSat with a fresh, unused thruster array during the mission before a used array shows signs of degradation and is discarded. This process could expand the operational lifetime from hundreds of hours to thousands of hours that are needed for deep space missions. Additionally, to the staged thruster arrays, the proposal team has included different modalities to optimize either efficiency or thrust. This enables the spacecraft better maneuverability which is necessary for missions that include re-tasking small space assets to respond to other needs. This technology is especially useful in satellite swarm architectures, where a multitude of distributed systems are used.

Development of this system will open up frequent and sustainable deep-space exploration using small spacecraft, while improving the affordability of challenging missions. For small spacecraft presence in deep space, advancement in electric propulsion technologies is essential and this proposal provides a feasible and valid solution to a next step in validating electrospray propulsion on SmallSats in deep space. Electrospray propulsion also has potential applications in precise attitude control for the next generation of space telescopes or as a compact de-orbiting system to help mitigate the buildup of space debris.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.