Ignis Satellite

Demonstrate propulsion module for Apollo Fusion.

The Ignis spacecraft is a technology demonstration spacecraft built to the 6U CubeSat standard. It includes the Apollo Constellation Engine (ACE), a Hall Thruster which ionizes and expels a high density proprietary propellant. The spacecraft will be launched aboard a LauncherOne rocket built by Virgin Orbit.

The spacecraft bus is the Corvus-6 design. The common satellite bus uses reaction wheels, magnetic torque coils, star trackers, magnetometers, sun sensors, and gyroscopes to enable precision 3-axis pointing without the use of propellant.

The Ignis spacecraft uses the standard Corvus-6 bus, which is based on the 6U CubeSat form factor. Basic physical dimensions are 32 cm x 21 cm x 11 cm with a mass of no more than 12 kg. The superstructure is comprised of 6 outer panels with multiple subsystems serving as internal supporting structures bridging between the panels. There are L rails along each of the 32 cm edges which accommodate the deployment of the satellite from the deployer. The bus electronics provide additional internal stability to the structure. The ACE thruster nozzle is located on the -X face of the spacecraft with the thrust axis passing through the center of mass of the spacecraft.

Thrust will not exceed 25 mN maximum. The Ignis propulsion system includes 1.1 kg of propellant. The propulsion system as designed has approximately 12,000 Ns total impulse available.

• PLATFORM - Astro Digital