ThrustMe, a French supplier of electric propulsion systems for small satellites, is highlighting the portfolio of in-orbit propulsion solutions designed to enable maneuverability, orbit control and end-of-life compliance for modern spacecraft. The company’s propulsion systems are already deployed on operational missions and address the growing demand for compact, efficient and flight-qualified propulsion technologies suited to CubeSats and smallsat platforms. The in-orbit propulsion portfolio focuses on electric and hybrid propulsion architectures that integrate propellant storage, thrust generation and control electronics into compact subsystems. These solutions are intended to support a wide range of mission requirements, including orbit raising, station keeping, collision avoidance, formation flying and controlled deorbiting.

NPT30-I2 – Iodine Electric Propulsion for CubeSats and SmallSats

The NPT30-I2 is ThrustMe’s iodine-based electric propulsion system designed specifically for CubeSat and small satellite missions requiring efficient in-orbit maneuvering. The system uses iodine as a propellant instead of xenon, enabling higher propellant storage density and eliminating the need for high-pressure tanks. This design approach allows the NPT30-I2 to deliver meaningful total impulse within a compact volume and making it suitable for platforms with limited internal space. The propulsion unit integrates an electric thruster, solid iodine propellant storage and associated feed and control subsystems into a single and flight-ready module. It provides low-thrust and high-efficiency operation suitable for gradual orbit adjustments, such as altitude changes, inclination trimming and phasing maneuvers. The use of iodine also simplifies logistics and handling compared to traditional noble-gas propellants, while remaining compatible with long-duration space missions. The NPT30-I2 is designed for operational reliability across the thermal and radiation environments encountered in low Earth orbit. It supports missions seeking propulsion capability without significantly increasing spacecraft complexity and it is already flying on commercial and institutional satellites, demonstrating the maturity as an in-orbit propulsion solution.

JPT150 – High-Thrust Electric Propulsion for Enhanced Mobility

The JPT150 extends ThrustMe’s propulsion offering to missions that require higher thrust levels while maintaining the efficiency advantages of electric propulsion. Designed for larger small satellites and more demanding mission profiles, the JPT150 supports faster orbital maneuvers, including more responsive orbit raising, collision avoidance and mission reconfiguration. This system combines a higher-power electric thruster with integrated power processing and propellant management, enabling operators to achieve greater maneuver authority compared to lower-thrust CubeSat propulsion units. The JPT150 is suited for spacecraft that must balance propulsion performance with limited onboard power budgets and offering an alternative to chemical propulsion systems where mass efficiency and controllability are priorities. The architecture of the JPT150 is aligned with modular spacecraft designs, allowing it to be integrated into a range of satellite buses without extensive customization. The performance envelope supports emerging mission concepts such as agile Earth observation platforms, responsive commercial missions and spacecraft operating in increasingly congested orbital regimes.

ThrustMe Propulsion and Reaction Control System (RCS)

Complementing the primary propulsion units, ThrustMe also offers an integrated Propulsion and Reaction Control System (RCS) designed to support attitude control, fine pointing and momentum management. The RCS provides short-duration thrust for spacecraft stabilization and orientation tasks, working in coordination with onboard attitude determination and control systems. This solution enables satellite operators to consolidate propulsion and control functions into a single supplier architecture, simplifying system integration and operational planning. The RCS is intended to support both routine attitude adjustments and contingency maneuvers, contributing to overall mission resilience and spacecraft controllability throughout the operational lifecycle. By offering propulsion and reaction control capabilities as part of a cohesive product suite, ThrustMe supports mission designers seeking reliable maneuvering solutions without developing custom propulsion subsystems in-house.

ThrustMe’s in-orbit propulsion systems are designed to address the evolving needs of small-satellite operators, including regulatory compliance for post-mission disposal, collision-avoidance readiness and greater mission flexibility. The company’s focus on compact form factors, efficient propellant usage and flight-qualified designs enables spacecraft developers to add propulsion capability while maintaining predictable integration timelines and system performance. ThrustMe’s propulsion technologies provide practical building blocks for controlled, responsible and maneuverable space operations.

About ThrustMe

ThrustMe is a France-based space propulsion company specializing in electric propulsion systems for small satellites and CubeSats. Headquartered in Verrières-le-Buisson, France, ThrustMe designs, manufactures and qualifies propulsion solutions that support in-orbit mobility, station keeping, orbit raising, collision avoidance and end-of-life deorbiting. The company is best known for the iodine-based electric propulsion technology, which offers a compact and efficient alternative to traditional xenon systems, particularly suited to small spacecraft with tight mass and volume constraints. The propulsion products are developed for operational deployment and are already flying on multiple commercial and institutional missions. By combining propulsion hardware, propellant management and control electronics into integrated subsystems, the company enables satellite operators to add maneuvering capability without complex system-level redesign. The company's focus on scalable manufacturing, flight qualification and compatibility with standard Smallsat platforms positions it as a practical supplier for constellation operators and mission developers seeking reliable in-space propulsion aligned with modern small satellite architectures.

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