// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
Electrospray Thruster
An electrospray thruster is a small, efficient engine that uses an electric field to extract and accelerate tiny charged liquid particles or ions to create thrust. These systems are particularly useful for small satellites requiring precise adjustments over long periods.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An electrospray thruster is an electric propulsion system that generates thrust by electrostatically extracting and accelerating charged ionic liquid droplets or ions from a liquid propellant meniscus, often forming a Taylor cone, enabling very high specific impulse for micro- and nano-satellite propulsion and precise attitude control.
SYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Ionic Liquid Electrospray Thruster
- Colloid Thruster
- Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP)
- Nano-thruster
- Ion Electrospray
USAGE NOTE
Electrospray thrusters are widely used for precision attitude control and station-keeping maneuvers on small satellites due to their low thrust, high efficiency, and minimal power requirements.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Electrospray Thruster.
Accion Systems develops TILE (Tiled Ionic Liquid Electrospray) thrusters for small satellites, offering a compact, efficient, and scalable propulsion solution.
Busek Co. Inc. develops a range of electric propulsion systems, including ionic liquid electrospray thrusters for small satellite propulsion and precision pointing applications.
Through its acquisition of Apollo Fusion, Rocket Lab offers highly efficient electrospray propulsion systems for satellites, designed for mission flexibility and extended on-orbit life.
Various NASA centers, including Glenn Research Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, conduct extensive research and development on electrospray propulsion for future space missions and small satellite applications.
The MIT Space Propulsion Lab is a leading academic institution conducting fundamental research into electrospray propulsion, exploring new propellants and thruster architectures.
The AFRL conducts research into advanced electric propulsion technologies, including electrospray thrusters, for military and national security space applications.