UNLOCK YOUR ON-ORBIT POTENTIAL
Based on patented technology, our unique design for ionic liquid electrospray thrusters is the next big thing in small satellites propulsion
The best propulsion system to maximize value delivered on orbit
Nominal mode
Boost mode
Thrust and ISP adjustable in-flight based on available satellite electric power
Elementary modules can be associated to answer more complex mission requirements
Unmatched thrust for 1U module
Thrust and ISP adjustable in-flight based on available satellite electric power
Elementary modules can be associated to answer more complex mission requirements
PROPULSIVE SLAB
• Elementary cells can be combined based on thrust mission requirements
FUEL TANK
• Inert propellant
• Very limited pressurization
• No chemical hazard
POWER PROCESSING UNIT
• Tension and current are adapted in real-time to generate the adequate propulsion
Our technology unfair advantages
Unmatched thrust
and ISP for that thruster class
and ISP for that thruster class
No external cathode required
to neutralize the external beam
to neutralize the external beam
Fire on demand
with no warmup period
with no warmup period
Furtive/stealth technology
with very low signature emissions
with very low signature emissions
Inert propellant with very
limited pressure required
limited pressure required
Adaptive and scalable
based on mission requirements
based on mission requirements
Our history
Focused ion beam technology has initially been developed in the 80s for nano-electronics applications such as nano-machinning.
Turning CNRS world-class expertise in ion sources for nanoelectronics towards space applications, our team has been working with CNES since 2017 to revolutionize electric propulsion. Based on patented technology, our unique design for ionic liquid electrospray thrusters is the next big thing in small satellites propulsion.
Faced with a growing need for thrusters, ION-X offers a revolutionary technology which is compact, versatile, inexpensive and industrial for the propulsion of small satellites. This technical and commercial challenge has never been met by current technologies and is becoming a key competitive issue.
This new type of electric propulsion based on the ejection of very fine, fully ionized particles solves the main current challenges: long life, high modularity and very competitive projected production costs compatible with mass production.
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1984
Beginning of research on focused ion beams (FIB)
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2015
World first for a FIB with ionic liquid by CNRS
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2017
Launch of CNES R&T for the development of EHD engine with ionic liquid
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2020
First test of a complete engine at C2N-CNRS
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2021
Creation of ION-X, seed funding and recruitment of the team
Let’s build the next generation of satellite thrusters together !
Currently in the prototyping phase, our company ION-X aims to be on the market by the end of 2023.
We are actively looking for partners to fly our first on-orbit demonstration mission in 2023
Let's get in touch
You want to have more information about our products, discuss a potential collaboration or join our team,please contact us, we will get back to you promptly
Our trusted partners
Our offices
Headquarters
Technofounders
20bis rue Barthelemy Danjou
92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
France
Labs
CNRS – C2N
10 boulevard Thomas Gobert
91120 Palaiseau
France
Our offices
Headquarters
Technofounders
20bis rue Barthelemy Danjou
92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
France
Labs
CNRS – C2N
10 boulevard Thomas Gobert
91120 Palaiseau
France