The European Space Agency's (ESA) HENON CubeSat, designed as the first autonomous CubeSat for deep-space missions, is set to test a newly developed gridded ion engine. This engine, originating from TransMIT GmbH and undergoing industrialization by Mars Space Ltd in the UK, is currently being evaluated in one of ESTEC's vacuum chambers.
The engine employs a radio-frequency discharge to achieve miniaturization suitable for CubeSat applications. It harnesses electricity from the CubeSat's solar panels and utilizes charged xenon gas atoms to generate thrust. A significant advancement is a novel neutralizer that promises to reduce propellant consumption by over 50%.
Alexander Daykin-Iliopoulos of Mars Space Ltd. highlights that the 3.5 cm diameter ion engine is being tested alongside a neutralizer engineered to emit electrons. This prevents spacecraft charging and contributes to decreased propellant usage.
Davar Feili emphasizes the challenge of ensuring the engine's reliable operation for a minimum of 10,000 hours without the possibility of refueling or maintenance. The HENON mission is being advanced through ESA's General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).