Satellite propulsion firm Letara qualifies 2U hybrid thruster for flight

(SpaceEnergy) Japanese satellite propulsion developer Letara has qualified its ICR-X 2U CubeSat-class hybrid chemical propulsion system for an upcoming in-orbit demonstration after completing combustion and environmental testing.

ICR-X uses high-density polyethylene fuel and nitrous oxide, combining the oxidizer tank and combustion chamber in an integrated structure. The system produces 1–4N of thrust and approximately 45N·s of total impulse.

Letara said atmospheric and reduced-pressure firing tests demonstrated reliable ignition and stable 5s burns with both gas-phase-dominant and liquid-phase-dominant oxidizer supply. The system also completed vibration, thermal-vacuum and electromagnetic compatibility testing, verifying readiness for spaceflight.

The thruster incorporates a low-power, multi-restart ignition system and oxidizer-temperature-based thrust control. Letara plans multiple burns during the in-orbit mission to assess ignition, combustion stability and repeatability in space.

The company says the mission is intended to provide the first in-orbit demonstration of a CubeSat-sized hybrid chemical thruster and to demonstrate multiple ignition events. Letara previously disclosed plans for an in-space hybrid propulsion demonstration under Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization deep-tech startup programme.