Experts from the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI)
Experts from the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), together with scientists from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), have created a low-power krypton engine for low-orbit satellites, according to MAI.
Consensus
- Scientists from the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) collaborated with researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MFТИ) to develop a low-power engine using krypton.
- The engine is designed for small satellites in low Earth orbit.
- The engine operates on the Hall effect plasma propulsion principle.
- The design allows for mass production and relatively low cost.
- The engine enables precise satellite maneuvering, orbit maintenance, collision avoidance, and controlled deorbiting.
- The engine has a service life of at least 7,500 hours and can operate for up to seven years in space.
- Krypton is presented as a cheaper alternative to xenon, which is traditionally used in such engines.
Points of divergence
- The development is described as the first such engine in Russia specifically designed for krypton fuel. — vedomosti
- In March 2023, Roscosmos reported successful tests of the stationary plasma engine SPD-70M on krypton, developed by OKB 'Fakel'. — interfax
- In March 2024, the Keldysh Center conducted hot-fire tests of the KM-55 plasma engine for small satellites, reporting specific performance metrics for both xenon and krypton operation. — interfax
- In April, Rostec announced the creation of the NK-3 engine with 4.5 tons of thrust for the 'Voronezh' rocket, to be used on both stages. — vedomosti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Russian scientists created a satellite engine on krypton — Ведомости
- In May, a helium-3 engine was created for small satellites — Интерфакс