Phase Four's Maxwell Propulsion System Achieves Flight Heritage

Phase Four's Maxwell Propulsion System Achieves Flight Heritage

Phase Four, one of the leaders in advanced radio-frequency thrusters for small satellite propulsion, has announced the successful flight heritage of its next-generation Maxwell propulsion system. This marks a major step in deploying state-of-the-art propulsion technology for small satellites.

The advances in the Maxwell propulsion system underscore Phase Four's commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer-focused solutions towards providing reliable, cost-effective propulsion systems tailored towards proliferated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) small satellite missions. A continued differentiator for Phase Four is its focus on providing a full suite of products and services for in-space propulsion.

It is noteworthy that Phase Four's propellant fill operations were completed with its engineering team using in-house developed Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for this critical component of launch preparation for the Maxwell propulsion system. Phase Four takes pride in seamlessly integrating propellant fill operations and on-site support, ensuring mission flexibility while adhering to industry-standard safety protocols such as AFSPCMAN 91-710 and AIAA/ANSI S-080A. Additionally, Phase Four performs a comprehensive telemetry check during on-site visits, covering all system channels, and ensuring optimal propulsion subsystem condition before launch. All Maxwell propulsion units are delivered with an initial propellant load for optional end-to-end testing and hot fires with each spacecraft, ensuring mission readiness.

Phase Four's 24-hour commissioning support services ensure optimal deployment of the Maxwell propulsion system. As a mission partner seeking to continuously improve customer success, Phase Four has already delivered Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for the system's on-orbit performance, ensuring adaptability and mission optimization post-deployment. Another innovation worth noting is the Built-in Self-Test (BIST) feature of the latest Maxwell system, enabling thruster function validation anytime, anywhere, enhancing system reliability.

Phase Four, a "one-stop-shop" propulsion provider, allows customers to focus on satellite applications and mission objectives. The newest Maxwell system's flight heritage is a significant milestone in Phase Four's quest to redefine small satellite propulsion, with its customer-centric approach, dedication to innovation, and unwavering commitment to safety.

Click here to learn about Phase Four's Radio-Frequency Thrusters.

Click here to view other thrusters from various manufacturers listed on SATNow.

Publisher: SatNow

GNSS Constellations - A list of all GNSS satellites by constellations

beidou

Satellite NameOrbit Date
BeiDou-3 G4Geostationary Orbit (GEO)17 May, 2023
BeiDou-3 G2Geostationary Orbit (GEO)09 Mar, 2020
Compass-IGSO7Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)09 Feb, 2020
BeiDou-3 M19Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)16 Dec, 2019
BeiDou-3 M20Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)16 Dec, 2019
BeiDou-3 M21Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)23 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 M22Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)23 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 I3Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)04 Nov, 2019
BeiDou-3 M23Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)22 Sep, 2019
BeiDou-3 M24Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)22 Sep, 2019

galileo

Satellite NameOrbit Date
GSAT0223MEO - Near-Circular05 Dec, 2021
GSAT0224MEO - Near-Circular05 Dec, 2021
GSAT0219MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0220MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0221MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0222MEO - Near-Circular25 Jul, 2018
GSAT0215MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0216MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0217MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017
GSAT0218MEO - Near-Circular12 Dec, 2017

glonass

Satellite NameOrbit Date
Kosmos 2569--07 Aug, 2023
Kosmos 2564--28 Nov, 2022
Kosmos 2559--10 Oct, 2022
Kosmos 2557--07 Jul, 2022
Kosmos 2547--25 Oct, 2020
Kosmos 2545--16 Mar, 2020
Kosmos 2544--11 Dec, 2019
Kosmos 2534--27 May, 2019
Kosmos 2529--03 Nov, 2018
Kosmos 2527--16 Jun, 2018

gps

Satellite NameOrbit Date
Navstar 82Medium Earth Orbit19 Jan, 2023
Navstar 81Medium Earth Orbit17 Jun, 2021
Navstar 78Medium Earth Orbit22 Aug, 2019
Navstar 77Medium Earth Orbit23 Dec, 2018
Navstar 76Medium Earth Orbit05 Feb, 2016
Navstar 75Medium Earth Orbit31 Oct, 2015
Navstar 74Medium Earth Orbit15 Jul, 2015
Navstar 73Medium Earth Orbit25 Mar, 2015
Navstar 72Medium Earth Orbit29 Oct, 2014
Navstar 71Medium Earth Orbit02 Aug, 2014

irnss

Satellite NameOrbit Date
NVS-01Geostationary Orbit (GEO)29 May, 2023
IRNSS-1IInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)12 Apr, 2018
IRNSS-1HSub Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (Sub-GTO)31 Aug, 2017
IRNSS-1GGeostationary Orbit (GEO)28 Apr, 2016
IRNSS-1FGeostationary Orbit (GEO)10 Mar, 2016
IRNSS-1EGeosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)20 Jan, 2016
IRNSS-1DInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)28 Mar, 2015
IRNSS-1CGeostationary Orbit (GEO)16 Oct, 2014
IRNSS-1BInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)04 Apr, 2014
IRNSS-1AInclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO)01 Jul, 2013