You are here

Emissive Ion Thruster -EMIT

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNC04CA43C
Agency Tracking Number: 034887
Amount: $69,863.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: S1.02
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2003
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-01-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2004-07-19
Small Business Information
2425 South 900 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84119-1517
United States
DUNS: 089500540
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: Yes
Principal Investigator
 Merrill Wilson
 Principal Investigator
 (801) 978-2134
 wilson@ceramatec.com
Business Contact
 Rod Kadota
Title: Business Official
Phone: (801) 978-2112
Email: rkadota@ceramatec.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

A propulsion system is proposed that is based on acceleration of ions emitted from a thin, solid-state electrochemical ceramic membrane. This technology would provide a versatile propulsion system that would be suitable for long-term, low-thrust missions throughout the deep-space to near-Earth range. The specially formulated and fabricated membrane in combination with an applied bias voltage will be used to ionize propellant electrolytically and selectively pass ions from the membrane through an ion acceleration stage thereby producing an energetic ion beam and generating thrust. Previously, electrostatic ion propulsion systems have used ion production mechanisms based on electron bombardment ionization, contact ionization, or direct ion extraction from field emission structures. In contrast, ceramic membranes operate at modest temperatures and are theoretically capable of forming ions at ion energy costs that approach dissociation energies (e.g., ~1-2 eV/ion). In addition to being readily scalable to larger sizes, the ion flux through the ceramic membranes is easily controlled over large ranges and this enables deep throttling capabilities. Ceramic membranes are rugged and insensitive to contamination from atmospheric gases, and they have displayed very long lifetimes in similar applications. Furthermore, ceramic membranes do not require the high voltages associated with field emission schemes.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government