ABOUT MAXWELL
Phase Four will accelerate infrastructure expansion in space through the development of high performance plasma propulsion systems manufactured at scale, and the development of advanced propellants.
Product Suite
Maxwell
Available Now
Maxwell arranges the thruster, electronics and fluid systems into a panel-integrated fashion. This allows the system to mate to a variety of propellant tanks for different mission total impulse requirements while still using the same production line and production schedule. The updated Maxwell thruster produces a nominal range of thrust from 10 to 30 mN and nominal range of specific impulse from 1,000 to 1,500 s. This is comparable to Hall effect thrusters within the same power class. However, Maxwell offers multiple performance envelopes, a significantly shorter lead time (3-4 months) and lower price point over legacy plasma propulsion systems.
From $340,000
Maxwell MAX-V
2024
Max-V leverages the Maxwell Block 2 engine's innovative architecture and builds on the radio-frequency thruster's propellant agnostic capabilities. Max-V replaces traditional high cost noble gas propellant with domestically sourced iodine-based propellant. Availability is expected in the second half of 2023.
| Operating Power | Up to 500 W | 200 W - 1.5 kW |
| Thrust | Nominal Range 10 - 30 mN | 50+ mN |
| Specific Impulse | Nominal Range 1,000 - 1,500 s | 1,200+ s |
| Total Impulse | Variable; can size tank to meet impulse needs | 100+ kNs |
| Dry Mass | 7 kg (excludes tank) | TBD |
| Bus Voltage | 26 - 34 V | 26 - 34 V |
| Telemetry Protocol | RS-422 | RS-422 |
| Dimensions | 22 cm W x 12 cm H x 24 cm D (excludes tank) | (Preliminary) 22 cm W x 12 cm H x 24 cm D (excludes tank) |
12
Maxwell systems delivered
8
Maxwell systems launched into low Earth orbit
Product Gallery
Example mission specifications using a qualified tank supplier
The table to the right shows example mission specifications using a qualified COPV tank supplier. Both larger and smaller tank sizes are available to customize Maxwell to meet your mission needs. Contact us today to find the right solution for your spacecraft and constellation.
| TANK DIAMETER | 13.6 cm |
| TANK LENGTH | 25.4 cm |
| TANK DRY MASS | 1.5 kg (excluding harnessing) |
| MEOP | 3,000 psi |
| THRUST | 14 mN |
| SPECIFIC IMPULSE | 1456s |
| OPERATING POWER | 450 W |
| TOTAL IMPULSE | 56 kNs |
*Intellectual Property Notice: The systems and processes discussed and disclosed herein are covered by one or all of the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 11,067,065 and U.S. Pat. No. 11,231,023. Other systems and processes are patent pending in the U.S. and E.P.O.