MIPT is developing a new electric rocket engine specifically designed for CubeSat satellites, aiming to eliminate reliance on foreign suppliers and enhance the competitiveness of Russian technology in the global market. These electric propulsion systems generate high thrust by accelerating charged particles, offering greater efficiency, elevated specific impulse, and prolonged operational time compared to traditional compressed gas or liquid-fueled engines. Currently, there are no power systems in Russia that meet the requirements for small satellites like CubeSats, which are critical in Earth remote sensing, reliable satellite communication, and radar applications. With the increasing number of operational CubeSats requiring orbit maintenance, corrections, and maneuvering—such as the 50,000 maneuvers performed by Starlink satellites annually—this development is timely. MIPT plans to present a fully operational prototype by 2026, which will undergo comprehensive ground testing before its public reveal. This advancement represents a significant step toward boosting Russia’s aerospace capabilities and reinforcing its position in the arena of small satellite technologies.
