INNOVATION
A stable and controllable microNewton colloid thruster that generates and accelerates a stream of nanometer-size charged droplets.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Demonstrated the first prototype of the MNT system with the assistance of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Yale University*
First use of the carbon nanotube (CNT) based electron field emission (FE) neutralizer in electric propulsion*
Demonstration of extremely low noise thrust, of the order of 10-8 Newton, feed system with no moving parts and the CNT FE neutralizer*
A set of microthrusters will control spacecraft position with nanometer precision*
COMMERCIALIZATION
Busek was selected to provide a set of microNewton thrusters for the Space Technology 7 project (ST7) project as part of the Disturbance Reduction System.*
Busek will receive $9.9M for this effort*
The space market for the MNT’s could reach several tens of millions of dollars over the next decade*
GOVERNMENT/SCIENCE APPLICATIONS
Will deliver to JPL 3/05 to fly on the NASA New Millennium Space Technology Demonstration Mission (ST7). This project will fly on the NASA/ESA European Spacecraft Smart 2 scheduled for 6/06*
The MNTs will enable future scientific missions such as NASA's Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave observatory and the Micro-Arcsecond X-ray Imaging Mission (MAXIM) x-ray interferometer*
Busek Co. specializes in electric space propulsion and materials processing. Busek provides analytical, computational, experimental and product services to government and industry.
