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Phase Four Unveils Game
Changing Engine for LEO Constellations
Oct. 13, 2022
Phase Four, the creator
of the radio-frequency thruster for satellite
propulsion, announced today that it will expand its
Maxwell turn-key plasma propulsion line and offer
satellite manufacturers an industry-first high
performance engine using an inexpensive,
domestically sourced iodine-based propellant. Max-V
leverages the Maxwell Block 2 engine's innovative
architecture and builds on the radio-frequency
thruster's propellant agnostic capabilities.
Phase Four offers
industry-first high performance spacecraft engine
using inexpensive, domestically sourced propellant
"Legacy electric propulsion
systems are tied to noble gases like xenon and
krypton," said Phase Four CEO, Beau Jarvis. "These
noble gases, while high performing, are largely
sourced outside of the United States in China,
Russia and Ukraine. The US has no real control over
this supply chain, which is subject to high price
volatility and recent severe supply issues." Phase
Four board member, former NASA Administrator Jim
Bridenstine observed, "This year we've seen xenon
prices spike to over $30,000 per kilogram. This is
cost prohibitive for both commercial and government
satellite constellations in low Earth orbit."
Bridenstine continued, "The US is the world's third
largest iodine producer, and my home state of
Oklahoma leads the way in domestic production. With
Max-V, we can ensure a fully domestic supply chain
and readily accessible low cost propellant."
Phase Four's Maxwell Block 1
engine gained flight heritage in early 2021. Maxwell
Block 2 engine deliveries began earlier this year.
With double digit commercial flight units delivered,
the company is now focusing on its Max-V development
effort. Maxwell's new chassis-style design enables
rapid on-ramping of improvements in the core areas
of the thruster, power electronics and propellant
subsystems. This architecture is streamlining the
Max-V development process as is the company's
significant experience with iodine-based propellants
through its recent U.S. Air Force AFWERX award.
"Maxwell's new modular chassis
architecture enables us to introduce improved
capabilities within the same form factor," said
Phase Four CTO, Umair Siddiqui. "Using an
iodine-based propellant instead of a noble gas
propellant stored at very high pressure provides a
number of benefits to our customers. Iodine stores
as a solid without high pressure valves or vessels,
which means we can deliver fully fueled engines
directly to our customers." Siddiqui continued,
"Iodine also stores about three times more densely
than xenon, which means our propulsion systems will
offer much higher total impulse in the same unit
volume as legacy electric propulsion systems."
"We've always said that Phase
Four delivers game changing propulsion systems, and
Max-V will do just that," said Phase Four CEO, Beau
Jarvis. "We are building a product that will
dramatically lower costs and extend operational
lifetimes of small satellites in low Earth orbit and
provide significantly higher total impulse for
missions beyond LEO."
Max-V is anticipated to be
available for order in the second half of 2023. The
system is designed to operate from 200 Watts to 1.5
kiloWatts, and achieve 50 mN thrust, over 1,200 s
Isp and deliver over 100 kNs total impulse. Max-V's
iodine-based propellant will cost under $400 per
kilogram and be incorporated in the purchase price.
Max-V's form factor is similar to Phase Four's
current Maxwell Block 2 engine. The system will ship
fully fueled, ready for installation and will
require no ground fueling operations prior to
launch.
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