Blog

Today marks the one year anniversary of Applied Ion Systems LLC! It has been one heck of a ride, with many advances and setbacks. Despite the challenges faced, I think AIS has further grown and established itself a bit more … Continued

I am very excited to have had the opportunity to give a presentation at this year’s Open Source Cubesat Workshop 2020! In this talk, I reviewed open source electric propulsion work at AIS from the past year, as well as … Continued

Last October, i completed testing of the first ever fully integrated AIS propulsion system, the AIS-gPPT3-1C Integrated Propulsion Module, and sent off two for integration aboard the AMSAT-Spain GENESIS N and L PocketQubes. Despite this major success, there were a … Continued

Recently, I decided to combine the gPPT3 thruster head with the EPPT1 electronics to explore further improvements to my PPT developments while recycling the current systems I have already worked on. The first test was a resounding success – although … Continued

After modifications of the ILIS1 ridge emitter to a single spike emitter for the ILIS-X1, I attempted several tests to qualify emission from the spike. Unfortunately, I have been plagued with numerous failures, and as of now, have yet to … Continued

The Firefly team has just integrated the DREAM payloads for the upcoming Alpha launch! One of the major payloads includes the PICOBUS-1 deployer, carrying 8 PocketQubes. Two of these PocketQubes, the GENESIS N and GENESIS L, are flying the AIS-gPPT3-1C … Continued

Recently, I have been working on improving the performance of my PPT systems. Taking the already tested and qualified AIS-gPPT3-1C thruster head, and the new AIS-EPPT1 thruster board, I merged the two systems into a hybrid thruster for higher rep-rate … Continued

Although I’m not actively pursuing PPT development for PQs as primary propulsion besides low-cost demo units now, that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped exploring the tech! Decided to revive the old gPPT3 thruster, which has been well tested, and combine it … Continued

Working around manufacturing challenges and budgeting, I have come up with a new AIS-ILIS Series electrospray thruster design for use with standard frit glass stock and accommodating up to 4 single spike emitters – the AIS-ILIS-X4 The X4 is the … Continued

So it’s come to this. In order to advance the ILIS1 development to the next stage I’ve had to take matters literally into my own hands. Got some diamond burr Dremel bits and free-handed the ridge into a 0.6mm wide … Continued