MHT-1N Monopropellant Hydrazine Thruster
The MHT-1N has class leading performance with an Isp of 228 seconds at its maximum thrust of 1.38 N.
This 1 N class thruster can meet stringent customer requirements including demanding minimum iBit and constantly changing variable duty cycles. The MHT-1N demonstrates excellent iBit repeatability when presented with challenging off-nominal inlet conditions. The MHT-1N features a unique catalyst management capability that has been developed to help mitigate against the effects of catalyst degradation through life.
The thruster has been designed to enable rapid thermal conditioning of the catalyst bed, which is essential for extended life capability. The thruster had its first flight on the SSTL Telesat LEO-1 satellite in January 2018. The MHT-1N has been Qualified for ESA NeoSat telecoms platforms, with further qualification campaigns taking place in 2021.
The thruster can be delivered within 12 months (nominal) of order.
Nominal Thrust
0.31 lbf at 348 psia
Specific Impulse
>228 s at 0.31 lbf
Minimum Impulse Bit
0.035 Ns, demonstrated at 24 bara
Thrust Repeatability
±5% thruster to thruster
Shortest On Time (Ton)
Demonstrated
Mass
< 1 lb
Inlet Filtration
25 µm absolute
Flow Control Valve
Dual in-line, series redundant solenoid valve
Valve Power
20°C [68°F], per coil
Pull-In Voltage
< 23 Vdc nominal
Drop-Out Voltage
> 1.5 Vdc
Valve Response
Opening and Closing
Catalyst Bed Heater Power
Per element at 28 Vdc
Valve/TCA Joint
Bolted with EPDM seal
Hydrazine Throughput
42.3 lb
Hydrazine Throughput
92.6 lb Hydrazine demonstrated
Total Impulse
36,849 Ns from ESA qualification tests
Pulse Capability
88,404 from ESA qualification tests
Number of Cold Starts
from ESA qualification tests, with catalyst bed between 5°C [41°F] and 10°C [50°F]
Hot Propellant Testing
with propellant temperature between 60°C [140°F] to 67°C [152.6°F]
Pad Pressure Venting
in blowdown mode
Helium Ingestion Test
Helium Ingestion tested, with satisfactory performance
Spacecraft Passivation
1.6 oz. vented through the thruster in blowdown mode
Technology Readiness Level
Telesat LEO-1
Status
The MHT-1N thruster has flown on the SSTL TeleSAT LEO-1 platform. In addition the MHT-1N is currently going through an ESA qualification campaign.
