World First: Green propellent (“Naphthalene”) Thruster tested in-orbit
Boswell Technologies and Australian National University (ANU) Space Plasma Power and Propulsion group have achieved an exciting milestone: successful in-orbit testing of the groundbreaking Bogong Thruster!
The Bogong thruster is a game-changer, using solid naphthalene as a “green” propellant. This non-toxic marvel doesn’t need pressurisation, making it inherently safe. Naphthalene, the simplest of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (which contain 30% of all the universe’s carbon), transforms into thrust when heated to the temperature of boiled water.
Its low electrical power requirements make it perfect for manoeuvring small satellites precisely. We put it to the test in mid-2023 with one satellite from the Skyraft-3 constellation, and it exceeded expectations. The thruster fired up with just a few watts of energy, heating naphthalene to 30 degrees Celsius, resulting in a remarkable change in attitude and pointing—all with a mere 0.1 milliNewtons of thrust!
This achievement is a world-first in multiple ways:
- The first cold gas thruster entirely conceived, designed, fabricated, and tested in Australia, now successfully in orbit.
- The world’s inaugural use of the clean, green Naphthalene thruster in space.
Prepare to revolutionise satellite propulsion with Bogong!
a very attractive price starting at under USD 100K for a complete package
Send a message to: roderick.boswell@gmail.com
or call: +61416249655