AIS-VAT3 Vacuum Arc Thruster
Applied Ion Systems
A 40W-class high-power vacuum arc thruster based on the VAT2 design with twice the power supply capacity, sized for up to 6U CubeSat-class satellites. Now obsolete.
Technical specifications
- Type
- High Power Vacuum Arc Thruster
- Power
- 40W
- Thrust (Beginning of Life)
- 256uN (at 4Hz)
- Thrust (End of Life)
- 64uN (at 4Hz)
- Shot Lifetime
- up to 300,000
- Total Impulse
- 8Ns
- ISP
- TBD
- Rep Rate
- 1-4Hz
- Size
- 92x92x75mm
- Mass
- TBD
- Fuel
- Bismuth
- Inputs
- 5V, GND, x2 Logic Commands
- Status
- OBSOLETE
About
The AIS-VAT3 Vacuum Arc Thruster represents the next generation of larger class vacuum arc thrusters at AIS. The VAT3 scales up the original AIS-VAT1-PQ Micro Vacuum Arc Thruster design and brings the AIS-VAT Series into a whole new power class. The VAT3 is also essentially the same as the original VAT2 design, but incorporates twice the power supply capacity in a slightly larger form factor. At 40W power-class capacity, the VAT3 is sized for use with larger Cubesats, specifically allowing for integration up to 6U-class satellites.
As of 10/25/2022, VAT3 development is officially ended and the product is obsolete.
Fuel: Bismuth. Status: OBSOLETE.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
