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French startup ThrustMe has performed the first on-orbit tests of an innovative iodine-fueled electric propulsion system, proving its ability to change a CubeSat’s orbit.

ThrustMe’s NPT30-I2-1U, the first iodine electric propulsion system sent into space, is aboard the Beihangkongshi-1, a 12U CubeSat developed by a Chinese commercial satellite maker. 

Science et Vie

Le moteur à réaction, qui nécessite d'embarquer d'énormes quantités de carburant, a vécu.Vapeur, iode, relativité… et si la propulsion pouvait provenir d'une autre énergie que chimique ? Les pistes sont multiples, et certaines ont déjà donné naissance à des start-up.

The space industry seeks new solutions to ensure economic and environmental space sustainability with the rise of satellite mega-constellations. A solution lies in the use of in-orbit propulsion, but traditional systems are not fit for the New Space paradigm. Today, ThrustMe announces that they have successfully tested the first iodine-fuelled electric propulsion system in space aboard the Beihangkongshi-1 satellite. This world first in-orbit demonstration has the potential to transform the space industry.

ThrustMe and a commercial client today announced a new space launch, the 3rd in an ongoing series. This time ThrustMe client launched their Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, Hisea-1, which is the world’s first commercial C-band small satellite SAR with a phased-array antenna. On board is ThrustMe’s Iodine Electric Propulsion system to provide the satellite with crucial orbit maintenance, collision avoidance and de-orbiting at the end of its three years expected lifetime. The satellite was successfully launched into space on the inaugural flight of the Chinese medium-lift Long March 8 rocket, from Wenchang, China.

L'Usine Nouvelle

Issue du CNRS et de Polytechnique, la start-up ThrustMe a envoyé dans l’espace son premier moteur électrique pour minisatellite, le 6 novembre. Opéré depuis Taiyuan (Chine) par une compagnie aérospatiale chinoise, ce lancement est une première mondiale.

Malay Mail

French startup ThrustMe ― founded by researchers from the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the École Polytechnique ― claims a world first with the first-ever electric motor for satellites that uses iodine, a substance that is denser, easier to integrate and cheaper than gaseous propellants such as xenon.