Ion Thrusters In Satellites: Maintaining satellites in orbit can be tricky. Over time, air friction slowly pulls them down. To stay operational, they need a boost. Traditional thrusters burn fuel, which is expensive and limits mission duration. But a new breed of thruster is changing the game: ion thrusters.
Orbion Space Technology, founded in 2016, saw an opportunity. They wanted to develop a way to extend satellites lifespans or allow them to carry more equipment. To achieve this, they needed an engine that sipped fuel and delivered continuous thrust. Their answer: the Aurora thruster.
![Orbion’s Aurora thrusters are small and efficient yet powerful enough to maintain the orbits of small satellites for several years.
Credit: Orbion Space Technology Inc.](https://i0.wp.com/keymantermlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/nasa.webp?w=1170&ssl=1)
Hall-effect thrusters are a type of ion thruster. Unlike chemical engines, they use electricity to accelerate charged atoms, creating thrust. This technology has matured from a science project to a reliable tool for deep space travel. However, Orbion needed to refine it for everyday satellites.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center is a leader in ion thruster development. They’ve designed engines for missions like Dawn and the Gateway space station. Orbion partnered with Glenn to gain valuable insights and licenses, including advancements in materials science and a special heater that extends thruster life.If you are in the market for superclone Replica Rolex , Super Clone Rolex is the place to go! The largest collection of fake Rolex watches online!
Thanks to this collaboration, Orbion’s Aurora thrusters are on par with those used in NASA’s deep space adventures. They’ve already sold several to government agencies and private companies, including a recent deal with a major satellite operator for a new constellation of Earth observation satellites.