IIT Madras develops compact thruster power system for small satellites, a cheap & efficient alternative

Chennai: Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Madras have developed a compact high-voltage electronic system that could help small satellites manoeuvre more efficiently in space while using far less power.Researchers said the technology could reduce the size, cost and complexity of spacecraft propulsion systems while promoting more energy-efficient designs.
It is designed to run pulsed plasma thrusters, small electric propulsion systems used in satellites. In these thrusters, electrical energy stored in a capacitor is quickly released as a high-voltage pulse, which vaporises a tiny piece of solid propellant such as Teflon, turning it into plasma. Magnetic forces accelerate this plasma and eject it at high speed, producing thrust in the opposite direction that slowly moves the satellite. While each pulse generates only a tiny amount of thrust, thousands of rapid pulses allow satellites to make precise movements in orbit. Researchers said such thrusters are particularly useful for small satellites because they use little power and generate less heat.The IIT-M team developed a new high-voltage pulse generator that improves how these thrusters are powered. The system can deliver pulses of up to -2.5kV at 1,000 pulses a second while operating below 150W, a requirement for compact satellites. The prototype demonstrated efficiencies of more than 90%. Researchers said the system was validated in laboratory experiments."We are rethinking electric propulsion for small satellites by combining high thrust capability with low power usage. Removing bulky sensors and using intelligent control, makes space propulsion smaller, cheaper, and more accessible for emerging space programmes," said Chinara Kuldip, research scholar at IIT-M.Conventional pulse power systems often rely on multiple current and voltage sensors to control the timing of pulses. These sensors add weight, increase cost and slow the response of the system. The new design instead uses a predictive variable-frequency control scheme (algorithms) that estimates the behaviour of the system and precisely times the pulses without these sensors.The research, led by professor Lakshmi Narasamma of the department of electrical engineering and published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, also has potential applications beyond space. "Pulse power technologies have wide-ranging impact beyond space propulsion, from advanced water and air treatment to breaking down persistent pollutants such as PFAS," Narasamma said. The system can also power ozone-based water purification technologies, offering an energy-efficient option for treating water in both remote and urban areas.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !