Applications

One RF power core, several thruster architectures

The RF PPU is thruster-agnostic by design. What changes between applications is the frequency band, the plasma-load trajectory and how much of the power system the customer wants from us.

MHz Labs, Seville

13.56 MHz

Helicon and ICP thrusters

Magnetic-nozzle helicon and inductively coupled sources, typically at or near 13.56 MHz. High-Q loads that swing hard with operating point, which is where adaptive matching earns its place.

0.5 to 2 MHz

Gridded RF ion thrusters

RIT-class thrusters that ionise inductively at 0.5 to 2 MHz. The RF generator is one of several supplies; we provide it as a module with a clean interface to the customer's beam-current loop.

Below ~300 km

Very low Earth orbit

Drag compensation and air-breathing electric propulsion, where RF plasma sources are a natural fit and mass and thermal budgets are tightest.

RF PPU concept, on test in a representative flow environment

Any RF or helicon thruster in the 50 to 500 W class is in scope. The power band and the frequency are what matter, not whether the programme is public.

Not sure where your thruster fits?

Tell us the frequency and the power, and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.

Talk to our engineering team