Exotrail is continuing to expand the capabilities of small satellite mobility through the spaceware family of Hall Effect Thruster (HET) electric propulsion systems. Designed specifically for the NewSpace market, the spaceware product line provides scalable propulsion solutions for CubeSats, microsatellites and small satellites requiring efficient orbital maneuvering, mission flexibility and operational performance. Exotrail has focused on Hall Effect Thruster technology, for larger spacecraft to meet the size, weight and power constraints of small satellites with high-performance propulsion capabilities. The company’s spaceware propulsion portfolio includes the spaceware-nano, spaceware-micro and spaceware-mini systems, each optimized for different satellite classes. These systems provide electric propulsion solutions capable of supporting orbit raising, station keeping, collision avoidance, constellation deployment, deorbiting operations and advanced mobility missions.

Hall Effect Thrusters have been a proven electric propulsion technology widely used aboard large commercial, governmental and scientific satellites. The technology combines the high specific impulse characteristic of electric propulsion with a high thrust-to-power ratio, enabling efficient spacecraft maneuvering while consuming significantly less propellant than conventional chemical propulsion systems. A Hall Effect Thruster operates by trapping electrons emitted from a cathode within a magnetic field. These electrons ionize a propellant gas, creating plasma inside a discharge channel. An electric field generated between the anode and cathode then accelerates the plasma to high velocities and producing thrust. Exotrail has focused on redesigning key subsystems to make the technology suitable for smaller satellite platforms. Through innovations in anode design, cathode architecture, fluidic systems and propulsion electronics, the company has successfully miniaturized Hall Effect Thruster technology while maintaining performance and reliability characteristics required for space operations. This approach enables small satellites to benefit from propulsion capabilities that were previously available primarily to larger spacecraft, providing greater mission flexibility and operational autonomy. A key characteristic of the spaceware propulsion family is its modular architecture, which has been developed to simplify integration across a wide variety of spacecraft platforms. The propulsion systems are designed to accommodate different spacecraft sizes, mission objectives and operational requirements while reducing the complexity associated with propulsion integration. This modularity enables satellite manufacturers and operators to select propulsion configurations that align with specific mission profiles without requiring extensive redesign efforts. The flexibility of the architecture also allows customers to scale propulsion capabilities as mission requirements evolve. Whether supporting individual technology demonstration satellites or large commercial constellations, the spaceware platform is designed to provide adaptable mobility solutions for a broad range of orbital applications.

The spaceware-nano system is Exotrail’s compact Hall Effect Thruster solution designed for CubeSats and nanosatellite-class spacecraft. Operating in the 60-watt power class, spaceware-nano is intended for satellite platforms ranging from approximately 10 to 80 kilograms. The system is specifically engineered to meet the strict size, weight, and power constraints associated with CubeSat missions while still providing meaningful maneuvering capability. The compact design allows operators to incorporate propulsion functionality into spacecraft that traditionally lacked advanced mobility systems. This capability supports orbit maintenance, orbital transfers, collision avoidance, constellation deployment and controlled end-of-life deorbiting operations. As CubeSats become increasingly sophisticated and are deployed for commercial, scientific and governmental missions, propulsion systems such as spaceware-nano provide operators with greater mission control and extended operational flexibility. The system’s lightweight architecture and integration-friendly design make it particularly suitable for emerging satellite constellations and technology demonstration missions where maximizing available payload volume is critical. For larger microsatellite platforms, Exotrail offers the spaceware-micro propulsion system. Operating in the 150-watt power class, spaceware-micro is designed to provide higher thrust levels and expanded maneuvering capabilities for spacecraft requiring more demanding orbital operations. The system is intended for missions involving frequent orbital adjustments, deployment maneuvers, constellation management and long-duration station keeping. One of the notable characteristics of spaceware-micro is the support for clustered propulsion configurations. These configurations allow operators to increase available thrust while also enhancing system redundancy, operational lifetime and mission reliability. By enabling multiple thrusters to operate together within a coordinated propulsion architecture, clustered configurations provide additional flexibility for customers with varying performance requirements. The increased maneuverability offered by spaceware-micro is particularly valuable for commercial satellite operators managing dynamic orbital environments where rapid response capabilities and precise positioning are becoming increasingly important.

The largest member of the propulsion family is spaceware-mini, a 400-watt-class Hall Effect Thruster designed to support more demanding small satellite missions and constellation deployments. The system incorporates multi-propellant capability, allowing operation with both xenon and krypton propellants. This flexibility provides operators with additional options when balancing performance requirements, propellant availability and overall mission economics. Krypton has gained growing attention within the satellite industry due to the lower cost and broader availability compared to xenon. By supporting both propellant types, spaceware-mini offers satellite operators greater flexibility in mission planning while supporting evolving industry efforts to improve propulsion sustainability and supply-chain resilience. The propulsion system is intended to serve as a baseline mobility solution for modern small satellite constellations requiring efficient deployment, orbit maintenance, collision avoidance and end-of-life disposal capabilities. The higher power level and increased thrust output enable larger orbital maneuvers while maintaining the efficiency advantages associated with electric propulsion technologies.

Exotrail’s spaceware propulsion systems are designed to support these requirements by providing spacecraft with enhanced mobility and maneuverability capabilities. By enabling more efficient use of propellant and supporting diverse mission profiles, electric propulsion systems help operators maximize spacecraft performance while reducing operational constraints. The company continues to adapt its propulsion technologies to meet changing market requirements, including longer mission durations, increased maneuvering demands and broader propellant flexibility. These developments align with industry efforts to improve spacecraft sustainability and support the growing scale of commercial space operations. Through the spaceware family of Hall Effect Thrusters, Exotrail is addressing this demand with scalable electric propulsion solutions designed specifically for small satellite missions. From CubeSats and microsatellites to large constellation deployments, the company’s propulsion technologies provide operators with enhanced mobility, mission flexibility and long-term operational capability. By combining modular design, high thrust performance and multi-propellant functionality, Exotrail continues to contribute to the advancement of next-generation satellite mobility and orbital transportation technologies.

About Exotrail

Exotrail is a space mobility company headquartered in Massy, Île-de-France focused on developing electric propulsion systems, in-space transportation solutions and mission mobility technologies for satellites. The company provides products and services designed to support satellite maneuvering, orbit raising, station keeping, constellation deployment, collision avoidance and end-of-life disposal across a wide range of spacecraft platforms. Exotrail's propulsion portfolio includes the spaceware family of Hall Effect Thrusters, comprising the spaceware-nano, spaceware-micro and spaceware-mini systems. These electric propulsion solutions are designed for CubeSats, microsatellites and small satellite constellations, offering scalable thrust capabilities, modular architectures and support for multiple mission profiles. The company has focused on miniaturizing Hall Effect Thruster technology to bring high-thrust electric propulsion capabilities to the small satellite market. The company’s propulsion systems support various power classes and satellite sizes, with solutions optimized for spacecraft ranging from CubeSats to larger constellation satellites. Exotrail develops space mobility solutions intended to improve satellite operational flexibility and support the growing demand for autonomous and sustainable orbital operations.

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