Signal MIT delivers electrospray thrusters to NASA for world's first air-breathing satellite propulsion system

Summary

MIT's Space Propulsion Laboratory has delivered four flight-ready electrospray thrusters to NASA. They are described as components of the world's first air-breathing satellite thruster system. The system is designed to draw in the thin residual atmosphere at very low Earth orbit and use it to generate thrust. Because it needs no onboard propellant, the technology could lower the operating costs of satellites flying at such altitudes. Satellites at very low orbits normally struggle to maintain altitude against atmospheric drag, and this approach is meant to offset that effect. An in-space test is expected soon, and the specific mission name and timing have not yet been made public.