Fire testing of the first prototype of the new LENA (Linear Electromagnetic Nonstationary Accelerator) plasma rocket engine has begun at the Laboratory of Plasma Rocket Engines of the MEPhI. The new engine is being designed for use on microsatellites, i.e. spacecraft weighing from 10 to 100 kg.

Prototype testing

Compared to the laboratory's previous development - the VERA propulsion system designed for nanosatellites - the new engine should have an order of magnitude higher power (several tens of watts versus several watts), thrust and working fluid reserve, as well as an increased specific impulse.

From other engines of this type - ablative pulsed plasma engines of rail geometry - the development of MEPhI differs in the presence of a magnetic system. Now work is underway to optimize it, several variants of the magnetic configuration have already been tested.