PBI (Water-based Ion Thruster)

Vendor profile

Overview

PBI (Water-based Ion Thruster) is a miniaturized gridded ion thruster that offers unprecedented level of total impulse in a 1U form factor, optimal for nanosats and microsats. It is a fully integrated system that incorporates thruster head, fluidics, electronics and propellant tank, and is clusterable to meet a wide range of spacecraft sizes.

The PBI uses water as propellant and does not require a high-pressure storage. The propellant is preloaded to the tank prior to delivery from factory so that satellite integrators would not have to deal with complex fueling work.

The propulsion system is planned to be launched in June and October 2025.

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Overview

Name: PBI (Water-based Ion Thruster)
Vendor: Pale Blue
Subsystem: Propulsion Subsystem
Component Type: Electric Propulsion System
Form Factor: All
Heritage: N/A

Details

Envelope: 1 U
Wet Mass: < 2.0 kg
Total Impulse: 7,000 Ns
Nominal Thrust: 0.35 mN

Vendor Details

Name: Pale Blue
Website: https://pale-blue.co.jp/
Founded: 2020
Summary: Pale Blue develops and manufactures propulsion systems for small satellites, serving satellite integrators and operators worldwide. Since its founding in 2020, Pale Blue has successfully achieved in-orbit operations of water-based propulsion systems a number of times, providing highly reliable solutions. While further expanding its product offering through R&D and in-orbit demonstrations, Pale Blue is also strengthening production capabilities to meet the growing demand for propulsion systems. Pale Blue is committed to creating mobility that is core to the space industry, driving the next generation of space development.