![]() | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information.(April 2020) |
In chronological order, spacecraft are listed equipped with electric space propulsion. This includes both cruise engines and/or thrusters for attitude and orbit control. It is not specified whether the given engine is the sole means of propulsion or whether other types of engine are also used on a spacecraft. The list does not claim to be comprehensive.
Spacecraft name | Launch date | End of life | Thruster type | No. | Model | Propellant | Spacecraft customer | Thruster prime | Comment | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Program 661A Flight A | 18 Dec 1962 | 18 Dec 1962 | Ion engine | 1 | Cesium | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | EOS (Electro-Optical Systems, Inc.) | Suborbital, no operation of on-board ion engine | |
Kosmos 21 | 11 Nov 1963 | 11 Nov 1963 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | ![]() | Kurchatov Institute/OKB-1 | Launch failure | |||
Zond 1 | 2 Apr 1964 | 14 May 1964 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | ![]() | Kurchatov Institute/OKB-1 | The experimental ion thruster-based attitude control system were tested but found to operate erratically, possibly due to the loss of pressure in the electronics compartment. | |||
SERT 1 | 20 Jul 1964 | 20 Jul 1964 | Ion engine | 1 1 | Mercury Cesium | ![]() | NASA | ![]() | NASA Hughes | Space Electric Rocket Test, suborbital (31 min), the first demonstration of an ion engine in space - only the mercury engine by NASA was operated | |
Program 661A Flight B | 29 Aug 1964 | 29 Aug 1964 | Ion engine | 1 | Cesium | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | EOS | Suborbital, experimental test (19 min operation) | |
Zond 2 | 30 Nov 1964 | 14 May 1965 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | ![]() | Kurchatov Institute/OKB-1 | Is widely regarded as the first application of electric propulsion systems in space (70 min of PPT operation) | |||
Program 661A Flight C | 21 Dec 1964 | 21 Dec 1964 | Ion engine | 1 | Cesium | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | EOS | Suborbital, experimental test (4 min operation) | |
Snapshot | 3 Apr 1965 | Ion engine | 1 | Cesium | ![]() | USAF/Army | ![]() | EOS | Experimental 1 hour operation, SNAP-10A nuclear reactor | ||
Zond 3 | 18 Jul 1965 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | ![]() | Operation of thruster failed | |||||
Yantar-1 | 13 Oct 1966 | 13 Oct 1966 | Ion engine | Argon | ![]() | ![]() | Ballistic flight | ||||
Yantar-2 | 1968 | 1968 | Ion engine | Nitrogen | ![]() | ![]() | Ballistic flight | ||||
ATS-4 | 10 Aug 1968 | Ion engine | 2 | Cesium | ![]() | USAF/NASA | ![]() | EOS | Experimental 10 hours operation, Satellite Technology Applications | ||
LES-6 | 26 Sep 1968 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 4 | PTFE | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | MIT Lincoln Lab. | Lincoln Experimental Satellite | ||
Yantar-3 | 1969 | 1969 | Ion engine | Air | ![]() | ![]() | Ballistic flight | ||||
ATS-5 | 12 Aug 1969 | Ion engine | 2 | Cesium | ![]() | USAF/NASA | ![]() | EOS | Experimental | ||
SERT 2 | 3 Feb 1970 | Ion engine | 2 | Mercury | ![]() | NASA | ![]() | NASA/Westinghouse | (Experimental), worked until 1981 (3781 hours) | ||
Yantar-4 | 1971 | 1971 | Ion engine | Air | ![]() | ![]() | Ballistic flight | ||||
Meteor 1-10 | 29 Dec 1971 | Hall effect thruster | 2 | SPT-60 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Orbit control | ||
L-4SC-3 | 20 Aug 1974 | 20 Aug 1974 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | ISAS | Experimental, ballistic launch. Launch failure. | ||||
ATS-6 | 30 May 1974 | Ion engine | 2 | Cesium | ![]() | NASA | ![]() | EOS | Experimental 92 hours operation | ||
Meteor-Priroda 1 (Meteor 1-18) | 9 Jul 1974 | Hall effect thruster | 2 | SPT-60 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Orbit control | ||
Kren-1 (Kosmos-728) | 18 Apr 1975 | 18 Apr 1975 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | Potassium | ![]() | ![]() | NIITP | Ballistic flight | |||
TIP-2 | 12 Oct 1975 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 2 | TSPPS | PTFE | ![]() | US Navy | ![]() | Republic Aviation | Transit Improvement Program (Triad / NOVA), Teflon Solid Propellant Propulsion System | |
Kren-2 (Kosmos-780) | 21 Nov 1975 | 21 Nov 1975 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | Potassium | ![]() | ![]() | NIITP | Ballistic flight | |||
Meteor-Priroda 2-1 (Meteor 1-25) | 15 May 1976 | Hall effect thruster | 2 | SPT-60 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Orbit control | ||
TIP-3 | 1 Sep 1976 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 2 | TSPPS | PTFE | ![]() | US Navy | ![]() | Republic Aviation | Transit Improvement Program (Triad/NOVA), Teflon Solid Propellant Propulsion System | |
Meteor-Priroda 2-2 (Meteor 1-28) | 29 Jun 1977 | Hall effect thruster | 2 | SPT-50 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Orbit control | ||
Kust-1 | 7 Dec 1977 | 7 Dec 1977 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | Air | ![]() | ![]() | Ballistic flight, Russian acronym of Kubarev, thruster, jet | ||||
Kust-2 | 30 Nov 1978 | 30 Nov 1978 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | Air | ![]() | ![]() | Ballistic flight | ||||
Astrofizika (Kosmos 1066) | 23 Dec 1978 | Hall effect thruster | 2 | SPT-50 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Orbit control | ||
Kust-3 | 21 Jan 1979 | 21 Jan 1979 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | Air | ![]() | ![]() | Ballistic flight | ||||
SCATHA (P78-2) | 30 Jan 1979 | Ion source | 1 | Xenon | ![]() | USAF/NASA | ![]() | Hughes | Satellite Positive Ion Beam System (SPIBS), No engine in the strict sense | ||
Intelsat-5 F-2 | 6 Dec 1980 | Resistojet | Hydrazine | ![]() | ITSO/Inmarsat | Communications satellite, and 1984, eight satellites | |||||
MS-T4 (Tansei 4) | 17 Feb 1980 | 13 May 1983 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | Ammonia | ![]() | ISAS | Experimental, thruster for spin-up | ||||
ETS-4 (Kiku 3) | 11 Feb 1981 | 24 Dec 1984 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | NASDA | ![]() | AIST | Engineering Test Satellite (experimental) | ||
Nova-1 | 14 May 1981 | Pulsed plasma thruster | TSPPS | PTFE | ![]() | US Navy | ![]() | Transit Improvement Program (Triad/NOVA), Teflon Solid Propellant Propulsion System | |||
Meteor-Priroda 2-4 (Meteor 1-31) | 10 Jul 1981 | Hall effect thruster | 2 | SPT-50 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Orbit control | ||
MDT-2A | 7 Dec 1981 | 7 Dec 1981 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | ![]() | SSTC Academia Sinica | Ballistic Missile | |||
Potok 1/Geizer 1 (Kosmos 1366) | 17 May 1982 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
ETS-3 (Kiku 4) | 3 Sep 1982 | 8 Mar 1985 | Ion engine | 2 | Mercury | ![]() | NASDA | ![]() | MELCO | Engineering Test Satellite (experimental) | |
Potok 2/Geizer 2 (Kosmos 1540) | 2 Mar 1984 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Nova-3 | 12 Oct 1984 | Pulsed plasma thruster | TSPPS | PTFE | ![]() | US Navy | ![]() | Transit Improvement Program (Triad/NOVA), Teflon Solid Propellant Propulsion System | |||
Luch #1 (Kosmos 1700) | 25 Oct 1985 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Potok 3/Geizer 3 (Kosmos 1738) | 4 Apr 1986 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Plazma-A #1 (Kosmos 1818) | 1 Feb 1987 | Hall effect thruster | 6 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Orbit control, Topaz-1 nuclear reactor | ||
Plazma-A #2 (Kosmos 1867) | 10 Jul 1987 | Hall effect thruster | 6 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Orbit control, Topaz-1 nuclear reactor | ||
Start-1 | 7 Aug 1987 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | AMPDT | Air | ![]() | ![]() | Autonomous MPD Thruster | ||||
Start-2 | 9 Sep 1987 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | AMPDT | Argon | ![]() | ![]() | Autonomous MPD Thruster | ||||
Potok 4/Geizer 5 (Kosmos 1888) | 1 Oct 1987 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Luch #2 (Kosmos 1897) | 26 Nov 1987 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Nova-2 | 16 Jun 1988 | Pulsed plasma thruster | TSPPS | PTFE | ![]() | US Navy | ![]() | Transit Improvement Program (Triad/NOVA), Teflon Solid Propellant Propulsion System | |||
Potok 5/Geizer 6 (Kosmos 1961) | 1 Aug 1988 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Luch #3 (Kosmos 2054) | 27 Dec 1989 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Potok 6/Geizer 7 (Kosmos 2085) | 18 Jul 1990 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Potok 7/Geizer 8 (Kosmos 2172) | 22 Nov 1991 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
EURECA | 2 Aug 1992 | 1 Jul 1993 | Ion engine | RIT-10 (RITA) | Xenon | ESA | ![]() | MBB | 240 hours operation | ||
Telstar 401 | 16 Dec 1993 | 11 Jan 1997 | Arcjet | MR-508 | Hydrazine | ![]() | AT&T | ![]() | Rocket Research Co. | Communication satellite (Lockheed Martin AS-7000) | |
Gals-1 | 20 Jan 1994 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communication Satellite | ||
ETS-6 (Kiku 6) | 28 Aug 1994 | 9 Jul 1996 | Ion engine | XIES | Xenon | ![]() | NASDA | ![]() | Mitsubishi Electric | Experimental, Xenon Ion Engine System | |
Telstar 402 | 9 Sep 1994 | 9 Sep 1994 | Arcjet | MR-508 | Hydrazine | ![]() | AT&T | ![]() | Rocket Research Co. | Communication satellite (Lockheed Martin AS-7000), exploded shortly after launch | |
Potok 8/Geizer 9 (Kosmos 2291) | 21 Sep 1994 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Ekspress 1 | 13 Oct 1994 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Luch 4 | 16 Dec 1994 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Space Flyer Unit (SFU) | 18 Mar 1995 | 13 Jan 1996 | Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster | 1 | EPEX | Hydrazine | ![]() | ISAS/NASDA | ![]() | ISAS | Electric Propulsion Experiment, 43395 pulses of operation |
Potok 9/Geizer 10 (Kosmos 2319) | 30 Aug 1995 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Telstar 402R (Telstar 4) | 24 Sep 1995 | Sep 2003 | Arcjet | MR-508 | Hydrazine | ![]() | AT&T | ![]() | Rocket Research Co. | Communication satellite (Lockheed Martin AS-7000) | |
Luch2-1 | 11 Oct 1995 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Gals-2 | 17 Nov 1995 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communication Satellite | ||
Ekspress 2 | 26 Sep 1996 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
A2100 | 1997 | Arcjet | MR-510 | ![]() | Lockheed/Aerojet | Communication Satellite | |||||
PAS 5 (now: Intelsat 5) | 28 Aug 1997 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | PanAmSat | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on HS-601HP (first commercial satellite with XIPS) | ||
Kupon-1 | 12 Nov 1997 | Mar 1998 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | Bank of Russia | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communication Satellite |
Galaxy 8i | 8 Dec 1997 | 2004 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | PanAmSat | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP | |
Astra 2A | 30 Aug 1998 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | SES | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP | ||
STEX (NROL-8) | 3 Oct 1998 | Hall effect thruster | TAL-D55 | Xenon | ![]() | NRO | ![]() | TsNIIMash | EPDM (Electric Propulsion Demonstration Module) | ||
Deep Space 1 | 24 Oct 1998 | 2001 | Ion engine | 1 | NSTAR | Xenon | ![]() | NASA | ![]() | NASA | |
Satmex 5 (now: Eutelsat 115 West A) | 5 Dec 1998 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | Satmex | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP; propulsion failed on 27 Jan 2010 | ||
PAS 6B (now: Intelsat 6B) | 21 Dec 1998 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | PanAmSat | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP | ||
ARGOS (P91-1) | 23 Feb 1999 | 31 Jul 2003 | Arcjet | ESEX | Ammonia | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | Rocket Research Co. | Experimental military satellite, Electric Propulsion Space Experiment | |
Orion 3 | 5 May 1999 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | Orion Network Systems | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP; injected into wrong orbit | ||
Astra 1H | 18 Jun 1999 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | SES | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP | ||
Yamal 101 | 6 Sep 1999 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | Gazcom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communications satellite | |
Yamal 102 | 6 Sep 1999 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | Gazcom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communications satellite | |
DirecTV 1R | 10 Oct 1999 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | DirecTV | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Communications satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP | |
Ekspress-A 1 | 27 Oct 1999 | 27 Oct 1999 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communication satellite, satellite lost during launch |
Galaxy 10R | 25 Jan 2000 | 2009 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | PanAmSat | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP; reduced mission time due to malfunction in XIPS | |
Ekspress-A 2 | 12 Mar 2000 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communication satellite | |
SESAT 1 (now: Eutelsat 16C) | 17 Apr 2000 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | Eutelsat | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communications satellite, Ekspress satellite bus by NPO PM | |
Galaxy 4R | 19 Apr 2000 | 2006 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | PanAmSat | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP; XIPS failed by 2003 | |
Ekspress-A 3 | 24 Jun 2000 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communication satellite | |
Potok 10/Geizer 12 (Kosmos 2371) | 4 Jul 2000 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
MightySat II.1 | 19 Jul 2000 | 12 Nov 2002 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | AFRL | ![]() | USAF/NASA/Olin Aerospace Co. | Experimental satellite | ||
PAS 9 (now: Intelsat 9) | 28 Jul 2000 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | PanAmSat | ![]() | Hughes-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP | ||
AMSAT-Phase 3-D (OSCAR-40) | 16 Nov 2000 | 2004 | Arcjet | ATOS | Ammonia | ![]() | AMSAT | ![]() | University of Stuttgart, IRS | Arcjet Thruster on OSCAR Satellite, operated in cold gas mode | |
EO-1 | 21 Nov 2000 | 30 Mar 2017 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | NASA | ![]() | Primex Aerospace | Earth Observing-1, technology demonstrator | ||
PAS 10 (now: Intelsat 10) | 15 May 2001 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | PanAmSat | ![]() | Boeing-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes HS-601HP | ||
Astra 2C | 16 Jun 2001 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | SES | ![]() | Boeing-EDD | Satellite bus based on Hughes 601HP | ||
Artemis | 12 Jul 2001 | Nov 2017 | Ion engine | 4 | RIT-10 (RITA) and UK-10(T5) | Xenon | ESA | ![]() | Astrium | Advanced Relay Technology Mission ESA Artemis satellite using 4 ion engines (2 RIT and 2 UK-10) has paved the way for the use of electric propulsion in telecommunication spacecraft. [1] | |
DirecTV 4S | 27 Nov 2001 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | DirecTV | ![]() | Boeing-EDD | Satellite bus based on Boeing BSS-601HP | |
Ekspress-A 1R (Ekspress-A 4) | 10 Jun 2002 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100(?), KM-5 [2] | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel(?), Keldysh | Communication satellite | |
AsiaSat 4 | 11 Apr 2003 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | AsiaSat | ![]() | Boeing-EDD | Satellite bus based on Boeing BSS-601HP | |
Hayabusa | 9 May 2003 | 13 Jun 2010 | Ion engine | 4 | μ10 | Xenon | ![]() | JAXA | ![]() | JAXA/ISAS | |
SMART-1 | 28 Sep 2003 | 3 Sep 2006 | Hall effect thruster | 1 | PPS-1350 | Xenon | ESA | ![]() | Snecma | Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology | |
Galaxy 13 / Horizons 1 | 1 Oct 2003 | Ion engine | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() ![]() | PanAmSat/JSAT | ![]() | Boeing-EDD | Satellite bus based on Boeing BSS-601HP | ||
Yamal 201 | 24 Nov 2003 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | Gazcom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | ||
Yamal 202 | 24 Nov 2003 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | Gazcom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | ||
Ekspress-AM 1 | 29 Oct 2004 | 10 Aug 2013 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |
AMC 12 (Astra 4A / Star One C12 / now: NSS 10) | 3 Feb 2005 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | SES Americom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communications satellite based on Alcatel Alenia Spacebus-4000C3 | |
Ekspress-AM 2 | 29 Mar 2005 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel | ||
Monitor-E | 26 Aug 2005 | Hall effect thruster | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | Roskosmos | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Earth observation satellite based on Khrunichev Yachta bus | ||
MBSat 1 (ABS 2i / now: ABS 4 (Mobisat)) | 13 Mar 2004 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() ![]() | MBCO Sold to: ABS | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on Space Systems/Loral SSL-1300 | |
Ekspress-AM 3 | 29 Oct 2004 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel | ||
AMC 23 | 29 Dec 2005 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | SES Americom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communications satellite based on Alcatel Alenia Spacebus-4000C3 | |
KazSat-1 | 18 Jun 2005 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | JSC KazSat | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communications satellite based on Khrunichev Yachta bus | |
ION | 26 Jul 2006 | 26 Jul 2006 | Vacuum arc thruster | 4 | μVAT | Tungsten | ![]() | UIUC | ![]() | UIUC | Satellite lost during injection phase |
MEASAT-3 | 11 Dec 2006 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS | Xenon | ![]() | MEASAT | ![]() | L-3 ETI | Satellite bus based on Boeing BSS-601HP | |
TacSat-2 | 16 Dec 2006 | 5 Feb 2011 | Hall effect thruster | 1 | BHT-200 | Xenon | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | Busek | Microsatellite Propulsion Integration (MPI) Experiment, military applications |
ETS-8 (Kiku 8) | 18 Dec 2006 | Ion engine | 4 | XIES | Xenon | ![]() | JAXA | ![]() | Mitsubishi Electric | ||
FalconSat-3 | 9 Mar 2007 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 4 | MPACS | PTFE | ![]() | USAFA | ![]() | Busek | Experimental Satellite, Micro-Propulsion Attitude Control System | |
Dawn | 27 Sep 2007 | Ion engine | 3 | NSTAR | Xenon | ![]() | NASA | ![]() | NASA | ||
Telstar 11N | 26 Feb 2009 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | Loral Skynet | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on Space Systems/Loral SSL-1300 | |
GOCE | 17 Mar 2009 | 11 Nov 2013 | Ion engine | 2 | T5 | Xenon | ESA | ![]() | QinetiQ | ||
Sirius FM5 (Radiosat 5) | 30 Jun 2009 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | Sirius Satellite Radio | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on Space Systems/Loral SSL-1300 | |
STSAT-2A | 25 Aug 2009 | 25 Aug 2009 | Pulsed plasma thruster | ![]() | KARI | ![]() | KAIST/SaTReC | Satellite lost during injection phase | |||
NSS-12 | 29 Oct 2009 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | SES New Skies | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on Space Systems/Loral SSL-1300 | |
GSAT-4 (Healthsat) | 15 Apr 2010 | 15 Apr 2010 | Hall effect thruster | 2 2 | KM-45 (Unnamed) | Xenon | ![]() | ISRO | ![]() ![]() | Keldysh ISRO | Launcher failed to reach orbit [3] [4] [5] |
STSAT-2B | 10 Jun 2010 | 10 Jun 2010 | Pulsed plasma thruster | ![]() | KARI | ![]() | KAIST/SaTReC | Satellite lost during injection phase | |||
AEHF-SV-1 (USA-214) | 14 Aug 2010 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | BPT-4000 (XR-5) | Xenon | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | Aerojet | Satellite based on Lockheed Martin A2100; mission saved by Hall thruster | |
FalconSat-5 (USA-221) | 20 Nov 2010 | Hall effect thruster | BHT-200 | Xenon | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | Busek | Experimental Satellite | ||
KazSat-2 | 16 Jul 2011 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-70 | Xenon | ![]() | JSC KazSat | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communications satellite based on Khrunichev Yachta bus | |
Fobos-Grunt | 9 Nov 2011 | 15 Jan 2012 | Hall effect thruster | 3 | SPT-140 | Xenon | ![]() | Roskosmos | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Failed to reach intended trajectory |
SES-4 | 14 Feb 2012 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | SES World Skies | ![]() | OKB Fakel | ||
AEHF-SV-2 (USA-235) | 4 May 2012 | Hall effect thruster | BPT-4000 (XR-5) | Xenon | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | Aerojet | Satellite based on Lockheed Martin A2100 | ||
SES-5 | 9 Jul 2012 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | SES World Skies | ![]() | OKB Fakel | ||
Kanopus-V | 22 Jul 2012 | Hall effect thruster | 2 | SPT-50 | Xenon | ![]() | Roskosmos | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Earth observation satellite | |
TET-1 | 22 Jul 2012 | Resistojet | 1 | Aquajet | Water | ![]() | DLR | ![]() | Aerospace Innovation | Experimental | |
PROITERES | 9 Sep 2012 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 4 | PTFE | ![]() | OIT | ![]() | OIT | Academic satellite, communication loss before propulsion test | ||
Shijian-9A (SJ-9A) | 14 Oct 2012 | Hall effect thruster Ion engine | HET-40 LIPS-200 | Xenon | ![]() | COSTIND | ![]() | SISP LIP | Experimental satellite based on CAST-2000 | ||
Yamal 402 | 8 Dec 2012 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | Gazcom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on Spacebus-4000C3, satellite failed to reach intended orbit | |
STRaND-1 | 25 Feb 2013 | Pulsed plasma thruster | ![]() | SSTL | ![]() | SSTL | 3U Cubesat propulsion demonstration | ||||
Alphasat (Inmarsat-4A F4) | 25 Jul 2013 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | PPS-1350 | Xenon | ![]() | Inmarsat/ESA | ![]() | Snecma | Operational | |
AEHF-SV-3 (USA-246) | 18 Sep 2013 | Hall effect thruster | BPT-4000 (XR-5) | Xenon | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | Aerojet | Satellite based on Lockheed Martin A2100 | ||
CUSat | 29 Sep 2013 | 16 Oct 2013 | Pulsed plasma thruster | PTFE | ![]() | Cornell University | ![]() | Cornell University University of Washington | Technology demonstration | ||
STSAT-3 | 21 Nov 2013 | Dec 2015 | Hall effect thruster | 1 | Xenon | ![]() | KARI | ![]() | KAIST/SaTReC | ||
DubaiSat-2 | 21 Nov 2013 | Hall effect thruster | 1 | Xenon | ![]() | MBRSC | ![]() ![]() | Satrec Initiative JAXA (Neutralizer) | Satellite bus based on Satrec Initiative SI-300 | ||
Wren | 21 Nov 2013 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 4 | ![]() | StaDoKo | ![]() | StaDoKo | 1U PocketQub propulsion | |||
Ekspress-AM5 | 26 Dec 2013 | Hall effect thruster | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel | EP system used to insert the satellite into GEO. Unclear if EP is also used for station keeping. | ||
KazSat-3 | 28 Apr 2014 | Hall effect thruster | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | JSC KazSat | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Communications satellite based on Ekspress 1000 NTA bus | ||
Deimos-2 | 19 Jun 2014 | Hall effect thruster | HEPS | Xenon | ![]() | Deimos Imaging | ![]() | Satrec Initiative | Satellite bus based on Satrec Initiative SI-300 | ||
Hodoyoshi 4 | 19 Jun 2014 | Ion engine | 1 | MIPS | Xenon | ![]() | University of Tokyo/NESTRA | ![]() | University of Tokyo | ||
MKA-FKI PN2 (Vernov) | 8 Jul 2014 | Dec 2014 | Pulsed plasma thruster | APPT-45-2 | PTFE | ![]() | Russian Academy of Sciences | ![]() | RIAME | Satellite based on bus Karat; communication loss before thruster operation | |
Ekspress-AM6 (Eutelsat 53A) | 21 Oct 2014 | Hall effect thruster | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | RSCC | ![]() | OKB Fakel | EP system used to insert the satellite into GEO. Unclear if EP is also used for station keeping. | ||
Hayabusa2 | 3 Dec 2014 | Ion engine | 4 | Xenon | ![]() | JAXA | ![]() | JAXA/ISAS | |||
PROCYON | 3 Dec 2014 | Ion engine | 1 | I-COUPS | Xenon | ![]() | JAXA/University of Tokyo | ![]() | University of Tokyo | PRoximate Object Close flYby with Optical Navigation, experimental >200 h operation | |
Yamal 401 | 15 Dec 2014 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | Gazcom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on bus Ekspress-2000A | |
ABS-3A | 2 Mar 2015 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS-25 | Xenon | ![]() | ABS | ![]() | L-3 ETI | First Boeing 702SP all-electric satellites | |
Satmex 7 (now: Eutelsat 115 West B) | 2 Mar 2015 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS-25 | Xenon | ![]() | Satmex | ![]() | L-3 ETI | First Boeing 702SP all-electric satellites | |
BRICsat-P | 20 May 2015 | Vacuum arc thruster | 4 | μCAT | ![]() | USNA | ![]() | GW University | Detumbling, spin and a delta-V for a 1.5U cubesat in 500km orbit | ||
AeroCube 8A | 20 May 2015 | Electrospray Thruster | 1 | SiEPro | Ionic liquid | ![]() | The Aerospace Corporation | ![]() | MIT | 1.5 U cubesat | |
AeroCube 8B | 20 May 2015 | Electrospray Thruster | 1 | SiEPro | Ionic liquid | ![]() | The Aerospace Corporation | ![]() | MIT | 1.5 U cubesat | |
KaiTuo-1A (XinJiShu YanZheng-2) | 19 Sep 2015 | Hall effect thruster | 1 1 | LHT-100 (Unnamed) | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | LIP BICE | Experimental Satellite | ||
Lisa Pathfinder | 3 Dec 2015 | Electrospray Thruster | 8 | CMNT | Ionic Liquid Propellant | ESA | ![]() | Busek | Very precise attitude control | ||
Horyu-4 (AEGIS) | 18 Feb 2016 | Vacuum arc thruster | ![]() | KIT | ![]() | KIT | |||||
SES-9 | 4 Mar 2016 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS-25 | Xenon | ![]() | SES | ![]() | L-3 ETI | ||
ABS-2A | 15 Jun 2016 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS-25 | Xenon | ![]() | ABS | ![]() | L-3 ETI | Satellite based on all-electric bus Boeing 702SP | |
Satmex 9 (now: Eutelsat 117 West B) | 15 Jun 2016 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS-25 | Xenon | ![]() | Satmex | ![]() | L-3 ETI | Satellite based on all-electric bus Boeing 702SP | |
Shijian-17 (SJ-17) | 3 Nov 2016 | Hall effect thruster | LHT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | CAST | ![]() | LIP | |||
AeroCube 8C | 11 Nov 2016 | Electrospray Thruster | 1 | SiEPro | Ionic liquid | ![]() | The Aerospace Corporation | ![]() | MIT | 1.5 U cubesat | |
AeroCube 8D | 11 Nov 2016 | Electrospray Thruster | 1 | SiEPro | Ionic liquid | ![]() | The Aerospace Corporation | ![]() | MIT | 1.5 U cubesat | |
AOBA-VELOX III | 9 Dec 2016 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 1 | PTFE | ![]() ![]() | NTU KIT | ![]() | NTU | 2U-Cubesat propulsion, satellite piggyback on HTV-6, deployed from ISS on 16 Jan 2017 | ||
Hispasat 36W-1 (SmallGEO) | 27 Jan 2017 | Hall effect thruster | 8 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | Hispasat | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on OHB Luxor bus | |
SES-10 | 30 Mar 2017 | Hall effect thruster | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | SES | ![]() | OKB Fakel | |||
Shijian-13 (SJ-13) | 12 Apr 2017 | Ion engine | 4 | LIPS-200 | Xenon | ![]() | CAST & ChinaSatcom | ![]() | LIP | Satellite based on DongFangHong-3B satellite bus | |
GSAT-9 (South Asian Satellite) | 5 May 2017 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | KM-45 | Xenon | ![]() | ISRO | ![]() | Keldysh | Station-keeping of satellite, including orbit changes [6] [7] [8] [9] | |
SES-15 | 18 May 2017 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS-25 | Xenon | ![]() | SES World Skies | ![]() | L-3 ETI | Satellite based on all-electric bus Boeing 702SP | |
Eutelsat 172B | 1 Jun 2017 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-140 | Xenon | ![]() | Eutelsat | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on all-electric bus Eurostar-3000EOR | |
PEGASUS | 23 Jun 2017 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 4 | PTFE | ![]() | FH Wiener Neustadt | ![]() | FH Wiener Neustadt | Cubesat propulsion; part of QB50 | ||
Shijian-18 | 2 Jul 2017 | 2 Jul 2017 | Ion engine | LIPS-300 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | LIP | Launcher failed to reach orbit | ||
VENμS | 2 Aug 2017 | Hall effect thruster | 2 | IHET-300 | Xenon | ![]() ![]() | ISA CNES | ![]() | Rafael | Station-keeping, fine attitude control and orbit change | |
AsiaSat-9 | 28 Sep 2017 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | AsiaSat | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on Space Systems Loral SSL-1300 bus | |
SLATS (Tsubame) | 23 Dec 2017 | 2 Oct 2019 | Ion engine | 1 | XIES | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Flock-3p' | 12 Jan 2018 | FEEP | 1 | IFM Nano | Indium | ![]() | Planet Labs | ![]() | Enpulsion | First successful IOD of a FEEP thruster on a 3U Cubesat | |
SES-14 | 25 Jan 2018 | Hall effect thruster | SPT-140 | Xenon | ![]() | SES | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on all-electric bus Eurostar Neo | ||
SES-12 | 4 Jun 2018 | Hall effect thruster | SPT-140 | Xenon | ![]() | SES | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on all-electric bus Eurostar Neo | ||
NovaSAR | 16 Sep 2018 | Resistojet Quad confinement thruster | 1 1 | QCT-200 | Xenon | ![]() | SSTL/ADS UK | ![]() | SSTL SSC/SSTL | Satellite based on SSTL-300 bus | |
BepiColombo | 20 Oct 2018 | Ion engine | 4 | T6 | Xenon | ![]() | ESA & JAXA | ![]() | QinetiQ | Solar Electric Propulsion System (SEPS) | |
(undisclosed) | 2018 | FEEP | 4 | IFM Nano | Indium | ![]() | Enpulsion | ||||
(undisclosed) | 2018 | FEEP | 1 | IFM Nano | Indium | ![]() | Enpulsion | ||||
FalconSat-6 | 3 Dec 2018 | Hall effect thruster | BHT-200 | Xenon | ![]() | USAF | ![]() | Busek | Experimental Satellite | ||
UWE-4 | 27 Dec 2018 | FEEP | 4 | NanoFEEP | Gallium | ![]() | Universität Würzburg | ![]() | Morpheus Space | First IOD of orbit control on a picosatellite using electric propulsion | |
AOBA-VELOX-IV | 18 Jan 2019 | Pulsed plasma thruster | 4 | PTFE | ![]() ![]() | NTU KIT | ![]() | NTU | |||
Xiaoxiang-1 03 | 21 Jan 2019 | Electrospray thruster | ![]() | Spacety Aerospace Corp. | ![]() | 206th Institute | |||||
(undisclosed) | 2019 | FEEP | 4 | IFM Nano | Indium | ![]() | Enpulsion | ||||
PSN-6 (Nusantara Satu) | 22 Feb 2019 | Xenon | ![]() | PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara | ![]() | SSL | |||||
(undisclosed) | 2019 | FEEP | 7 | IFM Nano | Indium | ![]() | Enpulsion | ||||
Starlink L0 | 23 May 2019 | Hall effect thruster | 60x? | Krypton | ![]() | SpaceX | ![]() | SpaceX | First operational Starlink satellite design | ||
Yamal 601 | 30 May 2019 | Hall effect thruster | 4 | SPT-100 | Xenon | ![]() | Gazprom | ![]() | OKB Fakel | Satellite based on bus Ekspress-2000A | |
(undisclosed) | 2019 | FEEP | 4 | IFM Nano | Indium | ![]() | Enpulsion | ||||
(undisclosed) | 2019 | FEEP | 4 | IFM Nano | Indium | ![]() | Enpulsion | ||||
JCSAT-18/Kacific-1 [10] [11] | 17 Dec 2019 | Ion engine | 4 | XIPS | Xenon | SKY Perfect JSAT / Kacific | ![]() | Boeing-EDD | Boeing 702 | ||
Shijian-20(SJ-20) | 27 Dec 2019 | Ion engine | LIPS-300 | Xenon | ![]() | CAST | ![]() | LIP | Back-up of Shijian-18 based on DFH-5 Bus | ||
Eutelsat KONNECT | 17 Jan 2020 | Spacebus Neo Xenon Propulsion System (XPS) | Xenon | ||||||||
Double Asteroid Redirection Test | 24 Nov 2021 | 26 Sep 2022 | Next-C Ion Engine | Xenon | ![]() | NASA | ![]() | Aerojet Rocketdyne | |||
MicroHETSat | 1 Dec 2023 | Hall Effect Thruster | Sitael HT100 | Xenon | ![]() | ESA | ![]() | Sitael | IOD for HT100 |
Spacecraft name | Launch date | Thruster type | Model | Propellant | Spacecraft customer | Thruster prime | Comment | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starlink 1-1 to 1-60 | 2019 | Hall effect thruster | Krypton | ![]() | SpaceX | ![]() | SpaceX | ||
Starlink 2-1 to 2-60 | 2019 | Hall effect thruster | Krypton | ![]() | SpaceX | ![]() | SpaceX | ||
Starlink 3-1 to 3-60 | 2019 | Hall effect thruster | Krypton | ![]() | SpaceX | ![]() | SpaceX | ||
APStar 6D | 2019 | Ion engine | LIPS-300 | Xenon | ![]() | ![]() | LIP | DFH-5 bus | |
GSAT-20 | 2024 | Hall effect thruster | Xenon | ![]() | ISRO | ![]() | ISRO | ||
SES-17 | 2021 | Hall effect thruster | Xenon | ![]() | SES | ![]() | Snecma (TBC) | all-electric Spacebus Neo | |
Hotbird 13F | 2021 | Hall effect thruster | PPS5000 (TBC) | Xenon | ![]() | Eutelsat | ![]() | Snecma (TBC) | all-electric bus Eurostar Neo |
Hotbird 13G | 2021 | Hall effect thruster | PPS5000 (TBC) | Xenon | ![]() | Eutelsat | ![]() | Snecma (TBC) | all-electric bus Eurostar Neo |
ASTER | 2021 | Hall effect thruster | PMHT | Xenon | ![]() | AEB | ![]() | UnB | MetNet bus |
ETS-9 | 2021+ | Hall effect thruster | Xenon | ![]() | JAXA | ![]() | IHI Aerospace | ||
Ionozond (Ionosfere 1 & 2) | 2023+ | Pulsed plasma thruster | APPT-95 | PTFE | ![]() | Roskosmos | ![]() | RIAME | AOCS |
NASA Gateway | 2025 | Hall effect thruster | Xenon | ![]() | NASA | ![]() | L3-Aerojet Rocketdyne/Busek | ||
AQUIS | 2025 | Vacuum Arc Jet | Tungsten | ![]() | Space Team Aachen | ![]() | Space Team Aachen | FEEP in development as upgrade | |
Soyuz-Sat-O | ? | Pulsed plasma thruster | APPT-155 | PTFE | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | RIAME |
Deep Space 1 (DS1) was a NASA technology demonstration spacecraft which flew by an asteroid and a comet. It was part of the New Millennium Program, dedicated to testing advanced technologies.
Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to accelerate spacecraft and artificial satellites. In-space propulsion exclusively deals with propulsion systems used in the vacuum of space and should not be confused with space launch or atmospheric entry.
In spacecraft propulsion, a Hall-effect thruster (HET) is a type of ion thruster in which the propellant is accelerated by an electric field. Hall-effect thrusters are sometimes referred to as Hall thrusters or Hall-current thrusters. Hall-effect thrusters use a magnetic field to limit the electrons' axial motion and then use them to ionize propellant, efficiently accelerate the ions to produce thrust, and neutralize the ions in the plume. The Hall-effect thruster is classed as a moderate specific impulse space propulsion technology and has benefited from considerable theoretical and experimental research since the 1960s.
An ion thruster, ion drive, or ion engine is a form of electric propulsion used for spacecraft propulsion. An ion thruster creates a cloud of positive ions from a neutral gas by ionizing it to extract some electrons from its atoms. The ions are then accelerated using electricity to create thrust. Ion thrusters are categorized as either electrostatic or electromagnetic.
A magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster (MPDT) is a form of electrically powered spacecraft propulsion which uses the Lorentz force to generate thrust. It is sometimes referred to as Lorentz Force Accelerator (LFA) or MPD arcjet.
A pulsed plasma thruster (PPT), also known as a plasma jet engine, is a form of electric spacecraft propulsion. PPTs are generally considered the simplest form of electric spacecraft propulsion and were the first form of electric propulsion to be flown in space, having flown on two Soviet probes starting in 1964. PPTs are generally flown on spacecraft with a surplus of electricity from abundantly available solar energy.
The Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) is an electrothermal thruster under development for possible use in spacecraft propulsion. It uses radio waves to ionize and heat an inert propellant, forming a plasma, then a magnetic field to confine and accelerate the expanding plasma, generating thrust. It is a plasma propulsion engine, one of several types of spacecraft electric propulsion systems.
Uncrewed spacecraft or robotic spacecraft are spacecraft without people on board. Uncrewed spacecraft may have varying levels of autonomy from human input, such as remote control, or remote guidance. They may also be autonomous, in which they have a pre-programmed list of operations that will be executed unless otherwise instructed. A robotic spacecraft for scientific measurements is often called a space probe or space observatory.
Eugen Sänger was an Austrian aerospace engineer best known for his contributions to lifting body and ramjet technology.
BepiColombo is a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to the planet Mercury. The mission comprises two satellites launched together: the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mio. The mission will perform a comprehensive study of Mercury, including characterization of its magnetic field, magnetosphere, and both interior and surface structure. It was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket on 20 October 2018 at 01:45 UTC, with an arrival at Mercury planned for on 5 December 2025, after a flyby of Earth, two flybys of Venus, and six flybys of Mercury. The mission was approved in November 2009, after years in proposal and planning as part of the European Space Agency's Horizon 2000+ programme; it is the last mission of the programme to be launched.
Solar electric propulsion (SEP) refers to the combination of solar cells and electric thrusters to propel a spacecraft through outer space. This technology has been exploited in a variety of spacecraft designs by the European Space Agency (ESA), the JAXA, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and NASA. SEP has a significantly higher specific impulse than chemical rocket propulsion, thus requiring less propellant mass to be launched with a spacecraft. The technology has been evaluated for missions to Mars.
Spacecraft electric propulsion is a type of spacecraft propulsion technique that uses electrostatic or electromagnetic fields to accelerate mass to high speed and thus generating thrust to modify the velocity of a spacecraft in orbit. The propulsion system is controlled by power electronics.
Reaction Engines Limited is a British aerospace manufacturer based in Oxfordshire, England.
EDB Fakel is a Russian electric propulsion system development company. It is located in Kaliningrad in Kaliningrad Oblast. It was founded in 1955 as a Propulsion laboratory of the Soviet Academy of Sciences; in 1962 it obtained status of Design Bureau, OKB.
Nuclear power in space is the use of nuclear power in outer space, typically either small fission systems or radioactive decay for electricity or heat. Another use is for scientific observation, as in a Mössbauer spectrometer. The most common type is a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, which has been used on many space probes and on crewed lunar missions. Small fission reactors for Earth observation satellites, such as the TOPAZ nuclear reactor, have also been flown. A radioisotope heater unit is powered by radioactive decay and can keep components from becoming too cold to function, potentially over a span of decades.
Busek Company Incorporated is an American spacecraft propulsion company that builds thrusters, electronics, and various systems for spacecraft.
The NASA Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) project at Glenn Research Center is a gridded electrostatic ion thruster about three times as powerful as the NSTAR used on Dawn and Deep Space 1 spacecraft. It was used in DART, launched in 2021.
The Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM), also known as the Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization (ARU) mission and the Asteroid Initiative, was a space mission proposed by NASA in 2013; the mission was later cancelled. The Asteroid Retrieval Robotic Mission (ARRM) spacecraft would rendezvous with a large near-Earth asteroid and use robotic arms with anchoring grippers to retrieve a 4-meter boulder from the asteroid.
FSUE Research and Development Institute of Mechanical Engineering, also known as NIIMash, is a Russian rocket engine design and manufacturing company specialized in small thrusters. It is located in the city of Nizhnyaya Salda, Sverdlovsk Oblast. It started as the B-175 factory of the NII-1 research institute, where Mikhail G. Mironov directed the development of liquid rocket engines research and testing.
The Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), previously known as the Asteroid Redirect Vehicle propulsion system, is a planned solar electric ion propulsion module being developed by Maxar Technologies for NASA. It is one of the major components of the Lunar Gateway. The PPE will allow access to the entire lunar surface and a wide range of lunar orbits and double as a space tug for visiting craft.