Tests show improved efficiency of Phase Four’s RF thruster

Results from a series of tests conducted by The Aerospace have revealed that Phase Four’s second-generation radio frequency (RF) thruster achieved a 3000% efficiency increase compared with existing RF plasma thrusters.

Third-party performance testing also demonstrated that the performance of the Phase Four CubeSat Class RF thruster is on par with the current hall-effect thrusters.

During the tests, the thruster generated up to 3.3mN of thrust at 700 seconds specific impulse, the highest performing electrode-free RF engine data directly measured so far.

According to Phase Four, the resulting improvements were six times higher than the proof-of-concept ‘RFT-0’ and were 30 times better in specific impulse per watt than any RF thruster directly tested on a thrust stand.

The improvements are expected to support the development of RF thrusters as a mass-produced engine for satellite mega-constellations. The RF thruster is also easy to create compared to alternatives.

Phase Four chief scientist Dr Umair Siddiqui said: “These results validate our vision: to increase access to space by producing a thruster that can be used by all satellites while matching performance levels previously available only to huge and expensive spacecraft.

“This sets a new bar for what can be achieved with these smaller electric thrusters, which offer high levels of power while eliminating many of the design and manufacturability issues, electrodes, complex electronics, and complex fabrication, which have plagued electric propulsion systems to date.”

With headquarters in California, US, Phase Four primarily aims to develop low-cost and advanced satellite propulsion systems.

Phase Four’s electrode-less RF thruster is the world’s smallest plasma propulsion system, which can be used to power CubeSats, small sats and bus-sized satellites.