About the company 

Prime Lightworks makes breakthrough electric propulsion systems for space satellites that are solar-powered, fully renewable, and consume zero fuel. The company’s goal is to eliminate fuel emissions from space propulsion while drastically reducing cost and waste.

About the solution 

Prime Lightworks’ CubeSat electric propulsion system is designed to be modular and scalable to meet the needs of any spacecraft. The company’s RF electronics and RF resonant cavities can replace satellite propellant mass and conventional satellite propulsion systems. This paradigm shift in propulsion will increase satellite payload mass and orbital velocities, while lowering fuel emissions and launch costs to orbit.

Prime Lightworks’ vacuum thrust measurement apparatus improves on the version used by NASA Eagleworks as published in Journal of Propulsion of Power. Its torsion pendulum employs thrust calibration and damping systems similar to NASA. However, Prime Lightworks’ RF power electronics enclosure is mounted on its torsion pendulum inside its vacuum chamber to limit the effect of magnetic torque on power cables.