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Micro Pulsed Inductive Thruster with Solid Fuel Option (uPIT_SF)

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX09CD98P
Agency Tracking Number: 085209
Amount: $99,977.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: S2.01
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2009
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2009-01-22
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2009-07-22
Small Business Information
321 High School Rd NE, STE D3, #179
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110-2648
United States
DUNS: 625349639
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Timothy Ziemba
 Principal Investigator
 (206) 780-3667
 ziemba@eagleharbortech.com
Business Contact
 Timothy Ziemba
Title: Business Official
Phone: (206) 780-3667
Email: ziemba@eagleharbortech.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The Micro Pulsed Inductive Thruster with Solid Fuel Option (µPIT_SF) is a high-precision impulse bit electromagnetic plasma micro-thruster. The µPIT prototype is a small (< 230 g) thruster that produces and accelerates plasma. In the solid fuel mode, µPIT_SF is able to substantially extend the performance of standard PPT systems by ionization and heating of the high density neutral gas produced after the arc. A small power-processing unit (PPU) is attached directly to the thruster which isolates the high voltage igniter section from the main spacecraft bus. Further development of the µPIT has implications that could include dramatic weight reductions of onboard station keeping and attitude control systems for miniature spacecraft and increased thruster efficiencies. Anticipated development of the µPIT in Phase 1 of the proposed work would lead to a 2nd generation prototype at or near the NASA TRL 5. Anticipated results from a Phase 2 program would be to produce a prototype at NASA TRL 6 with a corresponding experimental determination of the thruster's Isp levels and operational characteristics including a thrust measurement.

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

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