Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced the development of a 3D-printed electrospray engine that emits droplets for spacecraft propulsion. Using readily available 3D printing techniques and materials, the team designed the device for rapid production at lower costs than traditional thrusters.
Ideal for Small Satellites
The researchers explained that electrospray engines use an electric field on a conductive liquid to produce a stream of tiny droplets. These engines reportedly use less propellant than chemical rockets, making them ideal for small satellites.
Enabling In-Space Printing
The team’s modular process combined two 3D printing techniques to develop a thruster comprising 32 electrospray emitters, which work together to generate a steady and consistent propellant flow. The engineers explained that their process would allow astronauts to quickly print a satellite engine, eliminating the need to ship one from Earth.
Democratizing Space Hardware
MIT’s project sought to address the traditionally time-consuming and expensive electrospray thruster production process involving semiconductor cleanroom fabrication. Principal research scientist Luis Fernando Velásquez-García stated that their method makes high-performance hardware manufacturing more accessible, supporting the team’s goal of democratizing space hardware.
The researchers aim to eventually showcase a small satellite that uses a fully 3D-printed electrospray engine throughout its mission.
Image credit: Advanced Science
