The proposed solution consists of a magnetic field generator that allows the controlled deflection of a plasma jet without any moving parts.

This constitutes a clean alternative to current solutions characterized by the presence of moving parts or naked electrodes, which unavoidably increase the weight and complexity of the system, and can deteriorate the efficiency of the thruster.

“VecMan can control the thrust vector direction from a space plasma thruster in 10-15 degrees” 

Space & Communications

• Manufacturers and integrators of satellites and spacecraft often point the need to re-orient the thrust vector in 5 to 10 degrees during the mission. These small deflections would suffice to compensate the drifts in center of mass position that occur through the life of the satellite, as well as any manufacturing misalignments.
• Enabling thrust vector control provides greater freedom in the propulsive tasks of a mission, like the ability to use the main thruster to change the attitude, or to de-saturate the reaction wheels while thrusting. This is specially interesting for both long duration, low thrust transfer manoeuvers and orbital station keeping.
• Current solutions rely on mounting the thrusters on gimballed platforms, with high weight costs and associated complexity. 

Space

• In the period 2013 - 2022 operators and governments will launch an average of 115 new satellites per year to meet the demand for voice, data and broadcast [Euroconsult].
• The revenue from the manufacture and launch of these 1,150 satellites is estimated at $236,000 million [Euroconsult].
• There are currently more than 240 active satellites based in electric propulsion [Aerojet data].
• The satellite industry volume will triple between 2001 and 2012 [SIA].
• 3,164 space payloads proposed to be constructed between 2013 and 2032, with a business value of $235 billion [Satellite Markets & Research].

ICT, embedded systems for communications

• In 2013, over 2.7 billion people are using internet, which corresponds to 39% of the world’s population [International Telecommunication Union, ITU].

• No mechanical parts (e.g. gimbals), nor electrodes exposed to plasma.
• The concept requires only a slight modification in the magnetic field generator of those thrusters that have one (or its addition to thrusters without one)
• There is a considerable gain in simplicity, reliability, weight, and operational capacity by allowing 10-15 degrees deflection.
• Many of the space plasma thrusters existing or under development are covered, including gridded ion engines, helicon plasma thrusters, applied field magneto-plasma-dynamic thrusters (AF-MPDT), the VASMIR engine, Cylindrical Hall effect thrusters, HEMP thrusters and Hall effect thrusters with magnetic cusps. 

“Vectorial Magnetic thrust with no moving mechanical parts and without affecting the operation of the satellite, greatly increasing the operational capacity of the propulsive system”