GomSpace integrates 40 ThrustMe iodine propulsion systems

(SpaceEnergy) GomSpace has integrated around 40 ThrustMe low-power electric propulsion systems into satellites in production, with the first equipped spacecraft due for launch in October.

The companies announced the production milestone at World Satellite Business Week in Paris on 16 September. ThrustMe said the integration places its propulsion hardware directly within GomSpace's satellite manufacturing line rather than supplying it for an individual mission.

The systems use solid iodine propellant. ThrustMe said heating converts the iodine to gas for the thruster, avoiding the pressurised xenon tank used by conventional electric-propulsion systems. Each integrated unit includes the thruster, power electronics, fluidics, propellant and onboard software.

ThrustMe founder and chief executive Ane Aanesland said: “Going into a manufacturer’s standard build is a different exercise from winning a single mission.”

ThrustMe said 244 of its propulsion systems have now been launched on more than 90 satellites and accumulated more than 22,000 hours of in-orbit manoeuvres. The company manufactures the systems at Verrières-le-Buisson near Paris and said it is currently shipping one unit per day.