Bradford ECAPS's 1N GP Thruster is designed for attitude and orbit control of small-sized satellites. This in-development model is a variant of the 1N HPGP Thruster demonstrated aboard the PRISMA spacecraft and the SkySat series, for cost-critical missions where affordability takes priority over performance.

  • Non-toxic propellant makes for easier and less costly integration on secondary or ‘piggy-back’ missions.
  • Propellant loading is simple, fast and avoids the cost associated with loading hydrazine. Allows the operator to spend less time on ground operations and more time on space operations.
  • ‘Fuel at the factory’ – be ready for launch vehicle integration upon arrival at the launch pad.
  • Allows for more secondary or ‘piggy-back’ launch opportunities, especially missions where there is concern about the hazards of hydrazine and its risks to the primary payload.
  • Allows for more capable missions than spacecraft without propulsion.
  • Allows for more agile mission profiles than electric propulsion. Spacecraft take significantly less time to execute maneuvers and orbit changes.
  • Although not as high as the 1N HPGP , the 1N GP still provides equivalent to greater performance and storage density over hydrazine.
  • Less costly thruster system (equivalent to hydrazine) allows for lower cost system build.

The 1N GP thrusters can be provided individually or as an integrated system. For instance, each SkySat propulsion system consisted of four 1N HPGP thrusters along with tanks, flow regulators and other avionics. Get in contact today to talk to us about all our small sat solutions!

Specifications Table

Thruster Type GP
Propellant LMP-103S/LT
Thrust Class 1 N
Primary Operational Mode Δ ∨
Inlet Pressure Range 4.5 - 22 Bar
Thrust Range .25 - 1 N
Nozzle Expansion Ratio 100:1
Steady State ISP (vacuum) Typical 1900 - 2230 Ns/Kg
(194 - 227 s)
Density Impulse (vacuum) 2318 - 2721 Ns/L
Minimum Impulse Bit ≤ 70 mNs
Overall Length 178 MM
Mass 0.38 KG
FCV Type Solenoid
- No of Seats Dual Seat
- Pull-in Voltage 28 ± 4 VDC
- Holding Voltage 10 ± 1 VCD
- Coil Resistance (each coil) 190 Ω
Nominal Reactor Pre-heating Voltage 28 VDC
Regulated Reactor Ore-heating Power 8 - 10 W
Target Life - Qual. Level  
Pulses 12,000
Propellant Throughput 5 - 8 kg
Longest Continues Firing 5 minutes
Accumulated Firing Time 5 hours
Firing Sequences 200
Demonstrated Life  
Pulses 4,272
Propellant Throughput 1.2 kg
Longest Continues Firing Time 5 minutes
Accumulated Firing Time 1.5 hours
Firing Sequences 55
Maturation Level TRL 4/5
Current Status  
  EQM in Manufacturing