Names | iSat |
---|---|
Mission type | Propulsion technology |
Operator | NASA's Glenn Research Center |
Mission duration | One year |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft type | 12U CubeSat |
Manufacturer | Glenn Research Center |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Low Earth |
Iodine Satellite (iSat) is a technology demonstration satellite of the CubeSat format that will undergo high changes in velocity (up to 300 meters/second) from a primary propulsion system by using a Hall thruster with iodine as the propellant.[1][2][3][4] It will also change its orbital altitude and demonstrate deorbit capabilities to reduce space junk.[2]
As of 2014[update] iSat was being developed by NASA's Glenn Research Center, and was initially planned as a secondary payload for launch in mid-2018, but launch was delayed to allow for the propulsion system development to mature.[3] The mission is planned to last one year before deorbit.[3][needs update]