SBIR-STTR Award

A breakthrough propulsion technology is proposed for micro and nanosatellites using the EST (Electron Spiral Toroid). The proposed 100 waft propulsion system would have mass of 10 kg for the complete propulsion system, including fuel and containment, and carry enough energy for the lifetime of the mission. The EST stores energy as magnetic field energy with virtually no mass, other than a small pressure chamber for containment and for developing thrust. The EST can be thought of as an energetic entity, storing electrons in an ordered manner in its surface at 10,000 electron volts, and in doing so, creating a large internal magnetic field. Propulsion would not use combustion, but would energize propellant through collisions with the EST surface and eject them for thrust. Thrust can be turned ON/OFF, and varied to any value in between. The EST can be recharged. This concept will potentially lead to high-payoff commercial applications by reducing the cost of satellites,EST Propulsion