Orbital Arc
Orbital Arc is developing the world's first Gas-Phase Field Effect Electric Propulsion (Gas FEEP) system for satellites, using naphthalene as a solid-stored fuel that sublimates for operation. The combined thruster and power processing unit are expected to weigh under 600 grams for a 2 kW system, achieving 3,250 W/kg power density. Production leverages MEMS chip fabrication, enabling thousands of units annually with next-day delivery for small orders.
- Space Technology
- Hardware
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
Traditional electric propulsion systems for satellites rely on heavy components, expensive noble gases like xenon and krypton, and long manufacturing lead times that strain constellation deployment. The resulting mass and cost burdens limit spacecraft agility, payload capacity, and mission lifespan, while supply chain bottlenecks delay production.
Solution
Orbital Arc is developing the world's first Gas-Phase Field Effect Electric Propulsion (Gas FEEP) system, which uses naphthalene as a solid-stored fuel that sublimates for operation. The combined thruster and power processing unit are designed to weigh under 600 grams for a 2 kW system, achieving an expected power density of 3,250 W/kg. The technology offers both high thrust per watt and high specific impulse, with modeled performance anticipating up to 130 mN of thrust and 4,000 seconds of ISP. Because the thruster runs primarily on a MEMS chip, production leverages existing chip fab infrastructure, enabling manufacturing at scales of thousands of units annually with overnight delivery for small orders.
Target Audience
Primary customers are satellite manufacturers and constellation operators needing lightweight, high-performance electric propulsion with rapid production and delivery timelines.
Features
- Gas FEEP propulsion using naphthalene, a heavy molecule with low ionization energy that stores as a solid at room temperature, eliminating pressure vessel fuel tanks
- Expected specific impulse range of 2,650 to 4,000 seconds with thrust-to-power ratio of 68 mN/kW at 2,650 seconds
- Thruster mass of 60 grams and PPU mass of 500 grams for a combined 2 kW system
- Input power range of 40 W to 2,000 W with thrust range of 2 mN to 130 mN
- MEMS chip-fab based production enabling 2,400 units in year one and next-day shipping for orders up to 100 units
- Up to 100 kg of naphthalene fuel included free with purchase, with total impulse exceeding 1 MNs