Development of a micro PPT for the SAPIENS CubeSat Mission

Abstract

The miniaturization of space platforms has driven the demand for reliable, low-power micro-propulsion systems capable of performing orbit maintenance and maneuvering. Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs), which have a flight heritage dating back to the 1960s, are particularly well-suited for nanosatellite applications due to their inherent simplicity, use of solid non-toxic propellant (typically PTFE), and lack of pressurized tanks or complex moving valves. This paper presents the development of a custom micro-PPT for the SAPIENS (Satélite de Pesquisa, Inovação e ENSino) mission, a 3U CubeSat currently under development by the Space Systems Laboratory (LASE) at the University of Brasília (UnB). The primary scientific objective of SAPIENS is to monitor the South Atlantic Anomaly, while its educational goal is to promote regional capacity building in the space sector. To ensure the satellite meets its operational lifetime requirements in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the mission architecture incorporates an active drag compensation strategy to counteract atmospheric decay. Leveraging LASE’s previous research in plasma propulsion, the SAPIENS propulsion subsystem is designed to fit within strict volume and power constraints while delivering the necessary total impulse. We detail the multidisciplinary design process, covering mainly the mechanical and electrical subsystems. The study describes the manufacturing of the first engineering model and reports on the initial experimental campaign conducted in a vacuum environment.