The company Ienai Space is a pioneer in the aerospace industry by achieving the successful launch of the first electrospray-based propulsion system for nanosatellites, setting a new standard for European space propulsion.
Since the birth of the space age, around the 1950s, thousands of satellites have been launched into the earth's atmosphere. Currently, there are around 8,000 satellites in orbit, and it is estimated that an average of 2,000 satellites are launched each year. It is true that the increase in the number of satellites in orbit generates important challenges such as interference with astronomy, environmental problems such as space debris and light pollution of the sky, but the wide range of possibilities for the scientific and technological progress.
Satellites play a critical role in our daily lives, even if they often go unnoticed: from global communications to weather monitoring and emergency management such as fires, these devices are essential. In this sense, the use of nanosatellite networks has turned out to be a great advance for the sector . Unlike a single large satellite, nanosatellites can cover larger areas more effectively. This is particularly relevant, for example, in emergency situations, such as during hurricane seasons, where the ability of these devices to quickly change position can be vital in providing up-to-date information.
This enormous amount of satellites are sent into space to perform specific functions in predetermined orbits. In this context, one of the most significant challenges in this operation is the effect of terrestrial microgravity and other forces that can alter its trajectory and position in orbit . This problem is aggravated by the increase in the number of launched satellites that we discussed before, increasing the risk of collisions between them.
"Unfortunately, society is still not aware of all the work, research and innovation that goes into it, since satellites are responsible for the communication networks we use daily, the transmission of weather information, control of goods, fire control or territories, etc.".
Raúl Ramos, a physicist with a master's degree in nanoscience and advanced nanotechnologies, is the industrial PhD student leading this strategic research project. His main task within the industrial PhD project is to develop and perfect the nanofabrication of the key components for the electrospray engine . Ramos' work focuses on Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), microscopic components that are essential to the functionality of these new space engines. Thus, research in electrosprays and the manufacture of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) converge in this project, marking a turning point in research in this field.
Let's go in parts. First, electrospray technology (an already existing technique for producing ions, used in chemical element analysis methods) is used to move the satellites, and this is a pioneering innovation that works with a special type of liquid called ionic liquid, which serves as fuel . This system uses ionic liquids as fuel, and through the application of a high voltage, generates an electric field that allows the emission of charged particles. These particles are responsible for the impulse necessary for the propulsion of the satellite. The most interesting thing about this technology, as Ramos explains, is that it can be adjusted in different ways to best suit each specific space mission, making it very versatile: "each customer can choose in which range of parameters they want it to work the product to suit its satellites and the needs of its mission”.
On the other hand, MEMS combine microelectronics with mechanics on a very small, microscopic and nanoscopic scale . An example of how to understand MEMS technology is something that goes unnoticed by most smartphone users: the sensor that causes the screen to change orientation from portrait to landscape when the phone is rotated. This sensor is a small device inside the phone that can detect changes in position and movement.
The key to MEMS is their small size, which allows them to be placed in very small spaces, and their ability to perform a wide variety of functions that can only be performed with this technology. It should be noted that this remarkable innovation is not without its challenges, since the structures that form part of the ATHENA propulsion system are much smaller than the thickness of a human hair , necessitating an extremely controlled manufacturing environment: "for this reason we have to work in a clean room, where the number of particles, temperature and humidity are controlled and you have to wear special equipment so as not to contaminate any stage of the process", says Ramos.
The result of this research has a significant impact beyond the scientific field . Companies engaged in launching satellites can take advantage of this technology to extend the useful life of their satellites and to make them maneuver effectively in space , thus improving their efficiency and reducing the possibility of collisions. In addition, ATHENA technology can help mitigate the growing problem of space debris, an issue that affects the safety and sustainability of future space missions.
The proof of the impact of the technology derived from this project are the successes that Ramos himself highlights: the putting into orbit of the first Spanish propulsion system and the first European electrospray propulsion system in October 2022, as well as the successful collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) in early 2023.
In conclusion, Ienai Space's ATHENA technology is on track to become a key component in the new era of space exploration, with the potential to radically change how we understand and manage mobility in space . With this advanced technology, the possibilities are as vast as the infinite space that awaits us to explore.
