A small innovative enterprise has been created at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI – LLC "STAR" (Satellite technologies and astroprocessing).
The aim of the innovative enterprise is a mass production of propulsion systems, including plasma ones, designed for small spacecraft – nano- and microsatellites (CubeSat format and their analogues in size), and in the future – for larger spacecrafts.
The main product of the company to date, its MVP (minimum viable product) – the VERA plasma propulsion system (Volume-Effective Rocket-propulsion Assembly) – was developed in the Laboratory of Plasma Rocket Engines at MEPhI and is the best in Russia among engines of this class in terms of dimensions, weight, energy efficiency and safety in operation. According to Igor Egorov, the developer of the device, chief engineer of STAR LLC, senior lecturer at the Institute of Laser and Plasma Technologies at MEPhI, engines of this type are used in outer space in near-Earth orbit and perform several functions: they adjust the orbit of the spacecraft, allowing to increase the service life of the satellite itself and, accordingly, the payload installed on it. In addition, propulsion systems make it possible to build and optimally distribute vehicles belonging to multi-satellite groupings above the Earth's surface. Finally, the engine allows satellites with expired active life to be taken into the Earth's atmosphere, thereby ridding near-Earth space of space debris.
To date, three spacecraft launched into space have already been equipped with VERA propulsion systems, and among them is the MEPhI's own satellite Svyatobor–1, designed for remote sensing of the Earth in terms of observing and controlling forest fires.
According to Evgeny Stepin, CEO of STAR, Associate professor at MEPhI, the volume of the Russian market for engines of this type alone is about 70 installations per year; this figure was obtained based on a real request from potential buyers – such space companies as Sputnix LLC and Geoscan LLC. However, at present, the most important task of an innovative enterprise is to increase the reliability of the electronics of the propulsion system and, in particular, the transition to a domestic electronic component base. This task is being solved both at the MEPhI itself and at AVEX JSC, which is MEPhI strategic partner and has extensive experience in creating electronics and power supply systems for space technology.
According to Evgeny Stepin, the first sales of the created enterprise can be carried out by the end of this year. The engines will be assembled by the company's employees on the territory and infrastructure based in MEPhI.
The project is supported by the MEPhI accelerator, implemented within the framework of the University Development Program in cooperation with the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom.
