Froberg Aerospace is addressing advancement of spacecraft propulsion by combining its two traditional systems, chemical and electric, into one that can tap into either, depending upon circumstances. Chemical propulsion - high thrust but not very fuel-efficient. Electric propulsion - using electromagnetic fields to accelerate ionized gases, very fuel-efficient - enablingthe vehicle to go farther in space, but itaking longer to get there. Previous propulsion systems have been either one of those separately, but not both. The Froberg efforts is to develop a propulsion system does both in a single package: one propellant, one tank, one feed line and one thruster. Incorporated into small satellites (small sats),: microsatellites (c.t 220 lbs) and nanosatellites (2.2-22 lbs) such a system enables course changing on the fly, reacting to unforeseen circumstances, from shifting weather patterns to unexpected military maneuvers. Primary benefits of small satellites: rapid concept-to-flight time and low cost. System would be consistent with that requirement: reuced development costs and flexibility significantly change the flight profile as needed
