First use of the ENPULSION MICRO R3 thruster in the GMS-T mission

ENPULSION, the market leader in small satellite propulsion with more than 60 thrusters in space, confirmed the first successful in-orbit commissioning and first uses of its new ENPULSION MICRO R3 thruster.

Its partner OHB Sweden said in a statement: "We are keen to report on GMS-T that the in-orbit commissioning and first uses of the ENPULSION MICRO Thruster have been completed as expected in the mission. The GMS-T mission is based on OHB Sweden's InnoSat-light platform (for more info on InnoSat, please refer to the website of OHB Sweden)."

Within the GMS-T mission OHB Sweden is the prime contractor for the design, development, integration and test of the Innosat-based platform of a small telecommunication satellite (50kg-class).

This satellite will be used for delivering signals for the Bringing Into Use (BIU) of telecommunication frequencies for an international commercial customer. The company is also responsible on full system level for the spacecraft integration and testing activities. GMS-T was launched on the 20th of January 2021 onboard Rocket Lab's 18th Electron launch mission "Another One Leaves The Crust".

The ENPULSION MICRO R3 is part of the new R3 class of thrusters that ENPULSION has developed together with several large heritage satellite manufacturers and space agencies to establish a new standard of reliability in the NewSpace Propulsion sector.

The ENPULSION MICRO R3 produces up to 1.3 mN of thrust with an input power of 120 W and provides up to 50 kNs of total impulse, which makes it particularly adapted to small and medium size spacecraft.

It can be launched safely on any rocket as it contains no pressure vessels or energetic chemical. Its high specific impulse and the unrivaled control precision are perfect for station keeping and attitude control.

End-of-life operations can be performed at the most optimal operation point depending on remaining propellant quantities. The design incorporates lessons learned from many acceptance tests and in-orbit performances of the ENPULSION NANO.

"It is exciting to see a product in which we have invested so much love and efforts perform so well," said Dr. Lou Grimaud, Product Manager MICRO at ENPULSION.

"It is even more exciting to see things developing so fast. In 2 years the ENPULSION MICRO went from a simple idea to a flight proven product in operational use by our customer. Finally, we are thrilled to be able to contribute to the success of our partner's mission. We are looking forward to many other successful implementations of the ENPULSION MICRO thrusters, and we expect to see several more in space by the end of 2021."

Related Links
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Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

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ENPULSION to provide microthrusters for MethaneSAT Mission
Wiener Neustadt, Austria (SPX) Feb 25, 2021
ENPULSION, the market leader in small satellite propulsion, has announced that it will provide the propulsion technology for Blue Canyon Technologies' Microsat in support of the MethaneSAT mission. Blue Canyon Technologies is a small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider. ENPULSION will provide its ENPULSION MICRO R3 thruster, a scaled version of their technology, which targets small and medium sized spacecrafts. "The increased demand we've seen for smaller class satellites wi ... read more