I am pleased to reveal a look at the second micro-Hall thruster in the works at AIS – the AHT1 Anode-Layer Hall Thruster! This borrows concepts from the EHT1 Micro End-Hall Thruster development with some modifications aimed at further miniaturization … Continued
Many thanks to the Stanford Student Space Initiative for hosting a fantastic panel last night on in-space propulsion! Lots of great questions and discussions during the panel, as well as excellent tech and market insights from the other invited panelists from Apollo Fusion, Frontier … Continued
The new 3D printed parts for the upcoming EHT1 Micro End-Hall Thruster build arrived from Xometry! These include the housings for both the GDN1 Glow Discharge Hollow Cathode Neutralizer as well as the PFV1 Piezoelectric Fuel Valve. This is my … Continued
Last night I ran the fourth sublimation and glow discharge ionization test of Adamantane in vacuum for the AIS ADAMANT Series development. Reference to prior test recaps can be found below: TEST 1 TEST 2 TEST 3 For this test, … Continued
With the parts finally in for the first AIS-SFDS Sublimation Fuel Delivery System build, it’s time to test fit everything together! All the parts for the SFDS are laid out prior to assembly. The entire system itself is a very … Continued
After a week of working on a solution for controlled Adamantane fuel delivery, I have come up with the first prototype design – the AIS-PFV1, a compact low-power piezo-actuated fuel valve designed to interface between the Sublimation Fuel Delivery System … Continued
On Sunday night I ran the third sublimation and glow discharge ionization test of Adamantane in vacuum for the AIS-ADAMANT Series development. Details of the first test can be found HERE, and details of the second test can be found … Continued
First set of plates finally arrived for the AIS-SFDS-3 Sublimation Fuel Delivery System build! These plates include heater contact plates, fuel presser plates, and fuel distribution plates. Have to clean them up a bit, then can finally complete the first … Continued
The first stainless steel heater cartridge for the Sublimation Fuel Delivery System is in! First time ordering a CNC part through Xometry and I couldn’t be happier, it came out flawless! This tiny cartridge for the AIS-SFDS-3 build can hold … Continued
Last night I ran the second ever sublimation and glow discharge ionization test of Adamantane in vacuum for the AIS-ADAMANT Series development, exploring the use of this highly experimental fuel for low-power micro-ion and plasm thrusters. Details of the first … Continued