Overview

Over the next 10 years, a staggering 11000 new satellites will be launched; 90% of these are “Nano-Satellites”: they weigh less than 10Kg, cost under 100k$, and are revolutionising, and democratizing, access to space; most follow the first open-access standard in the space sector: the CubeSat standard. CubeSats are quickly acquiring new, varied and crucial functionalities: from high-speed communication networks, satellite internet, IoT, and earth observation, to space exploration. However, one last challenge remains a limiting factor: the lack of on-board propulsion. ienai SPACE, a newly-established company located in Madrid (Spain), aims to be a one-stop-shop for highly efficient ionic-liquid electric propulsion systems and mission analysis for nano-satellites. We will provide propulsion modules following the plug&play philosophy of CubeSats, but deeply customized for each particular platform and mission: from 2U to 12U; from RAAN-spacing to Earth-Moon transits or de-orbiting (aimed at containing the issue of space debris). Our versatile propulsion system ATHENA is designed to be highly scalable in specific impulse and thrust; the technology is based on a novel iteration of electrospray thrusters, which boast some of the highest theoretical efficiencies for electric propulsion technologies in the low power range. In combination with its reduced form factor, this means less propellant on-board, making this technology attractive in constrained volumes. Once the custom operational point of the thruster is selected, ienai SPACE uses a proprietary software for design and optimization of low-thrust trajectories, providing support to control activities during the mission, allowing these satellites to reach further, for longer.