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Maddyness

Le secteur de la SpaceTech ne compte que peu d’entrepreneuses ou de femmes à la tête d’instances clés. Maddyness a décidé de mettre à l’honneur six d’entre elles, dont les carrières sont en passe de marquer l’innovation dans le domaine spatial.

Popular Mechanics

And it’s a good alternative to other expensive propellants like xenon and krypton. Here’s what you need to know.

L'Usine Nouvelle

À l’attaque du newspace. La deeptech tricolore Thrustme a récemment publié dans la prestigieuse revue « Nature » les résultats du premier vol en orbite de son moteur pour petits satellites fonctionnant à l’iode. Lancé en novembre 2020, il a permis de modifier à plusieurs reprises l’orbite d’un petit satellite de type cubesat, jusqu’à atteindre en six mois plus de 4 km de déplacements cumulés, contre 1,5 km espéré au départ.

The Riotact 

A Canberra-based physicist and engineer has played an important role in the world-first testing of a ground-breaking, iodine-fuelled electric satellite propulsion system.

ThrustMe principal engineer Dr Trevor Lafleur says in-orbit tests have confirmed iodine is a propellant that can provide small satellites with vital collision avoidance and deorbiting capabilities, as well as new manoeuvring and space exploration potential.

Nature Podcast

10:43 An iodine-fuelled engine for satellites

In space, many satellites use xenon-fuelled ‘electric propulsion systems’ to maneuver. However, xenon is rare and requires high-pressure storage systems, so researchers have been working to develop alternative fuels. This week, a team publish details of the first in-space test of an iodine-powered electric propulsion system, which they say has many advantages over xenon systems.

Cosmos

Could an iodine-fuelled electric propulsion system be the future of space travel?

Ground-based tests have shown that iodine could be a good alternative. Now, as reported in a paper in Nature, researchers have made a successful test of iodine in orbit for the first time.