Bradford ECAPS's 22N HPGP Thruster is designed for attitude, trajectory and orbit control of larger satellites and for systems such as propulsive payload adaptor rings.

  • 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.
  • Non-toxic propellant makes payload adaptor rings suitable for a new class of small satellite launchers, where handling hazardous hydrazine may impede operations or where fully equipped hydrazine processing facilities may be non-existent.
  • Higher performance over hydrazine allows for more payload or longer mission durations.
  • 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.

The 22N HPGP thruster is currently undergoing a test fire campaign with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, characterizing the performance of the thruster. This is intended to prepare the 22N HPGP thruster for use on future NASA missions, such as observatory or interplanetary science missions.

Specifications Table

Thruster Type HPGP
Propellant LMP-103S
Thrust Class 22 N
Primary Operational Mode RCS + Δ ∨
Inlet Pressure Range 5.5 - 24 Bar
Thrust Range 5.5 - 22 N
Nozzle Expansion Ratio 150:1
Steady State ISP (vacuum) Typical 2385 - 2500 Ns/Kg
(243 -255 s)
Density Impulse (vacuum) 2957 - 3100 Ns/L
Minimum Impulse Bit ≤0.44 Ns
Overall Length 260 mm
Mass 1.1 kg
FCV Type Solenoid
- No of Seats Dual Seat
- Pull-in Voltage 28 ± 4 VDC
- Holding Voltage 10 ± 1 VCD
- Coil Resistance (each coil) 64 Ω
Nominal Reactor Pre-heating Voltage 28 VDC
Regulated Reactor Ore-heating Power 25 - 50 W TBC
Target Life - Qual. Level  
Pulses 50,000
Propellant Throughput 150 kg
Longest Continues Firing 45 minutes
Accumulated Firing Time 7.6 hours
Firing Sequences 350
Demonstrated Life  
Pulses 26,481
Propellant Throughput 53 kg
Longest Continues Firing Time 38 minutes
Accumulated Firing Time 3 hours
Firing Sequences 282
Maturation Level TRL 5/6
Current Status  
  EQM in Qualification