Spaceflight 🚀Aug 2, 2023
Which kind of #ElectricPropulsion ⚡ is used for #Starlink V2 ?
Laser propulsion
0%
Electrothermal thruster
19.5%
Electrostatic thruster
53.7%
Electromagnetic thruster
26.8%
Poll ended at .
Show threadSpaceflight 🚀

In 📆 2023, #SpaceX launched the first of its #Starlink V2 Mini satellites 🛰️. These next-generation spacecraft are equipped with #HallEffect thrusters, or #HETs, that operate on #argon, instead of the #krypton propellant on previous Starlinks https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/year-in-review/a-year-of-firsts-for-electric-propulsion

The essential working principle of the #HallThruster is that it uses an #electrostatic potential to accelerate #ions up to high speeds https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall-effect_thruster#Principle_of_operation

#ElectricPropulsion

A year of firsts for electric propulsion

The Electric Propulsion Technical Committee works to advance research, development and application of electric propulsion for satellites and spacecraft.

Aerospace America
Feb 13 at 3:05pmWeb
Show threadSpaceflight 🚀Feb 13

#Argon is many times cheaper than #xenon (the most common, and expensive, propellant used in #HallThrusters) and #krypton (the propellant #SpaceX used in #Starlink V1 and V1.5 satellites) https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/03/spacexs-acquisition-of-swarm-is-paying-off-with-new-starlink-thrusters

#ElectricPropulsion #innovation

SpaceX's acquisition of Swarm is paying off with new Starlink thrusters | TechCrunch

SpaceX acquisition of Swarm Technologies in July 2021 seems to be paying dividends with the new Starlink argon thrusters.

TechCrunch