Small satellites: Accion’s module definitely democratizes the space.

SmallSat.

So far, we know CubeSat with its powerful abilities to provide low-cost satellites, which are becoming increasingly popular tools for Earth-imaging, communications, and other helpful applications. 

But a set of major control issues hamper this momentum including:  lack of accuracy to point cameras or change orbit; regular crash and burn within a few months, and more.  

These satellites lack a viable propulsion system, recalls MIT aeronautics and astronautics alumna Natalya Brikner PhD ’15, co-founder and CEO of Accion Systems. “You can make a satellite the size of a softball with a surprising amount of

capabilities, but it can’t maneuver properly and falls from orbit quickly,” she says.

Henceforth we can rely on Accion’s module, a new commercial electrospray propulsion system, to deeply democratize the space.  

Connectikpeople.co recalls that, Accion’s first commercial system is MAX-1, a module that can push around a CubeSat, or a slightly larger satellite. MAX-1 can provide about 100 micronewtons of force per square meter.

Accion is on target to launch MAX-1 in July, and plans to start shipping the system to customers by the end of the year.

In the milieu where, dozens of small satellites are launched annually, the system could also help control how long they stay in space; (don’t become floating space junk). 

Accion’s propellant is a liquid salt material, similar in structure to common table salt.

With that novel propellant, and a simple design, Accion can batch-manufacture modules — much like computer chips — in quantities of around 200 at once.

According to Brikner, this costs about one-tenth as much as other electric-propulsion systems.

Accion is now headquartered at Greentown Labs in Somerville, Massachusetts.

In the future, Lozano says Accion’s system could enable small satellites to perform tasks now possible only for much larger satellites — such as exploring the moon.