Space Electric Thruster Systems (SETS), a Ukrainian space propulsion company, has been contracted to deliver its ST-25 Hall Thrusters to South Korea’s EPS Tech, a leading producer of satellite electrical power systems (EPS).

According to the contract, SETS will produce two ST-25 Hall Thrusters for EPS Tech in the coming months. 

The ST-25 is a compact Hall-effect thruster (HET) boasting low power consumption (100-250 W). The primary purpose of the ST-25 is to maintain a satellite in its target orbit during its operational lifetime and to facilitate controlled deorbits after mission completion.

The integration of a permanent magnet in the central core is a distinctive feature of the ST-25 thruster. This design solution reduces total power consumption, as well as the physical dimensions of the thruster.

SET’s ST-25 Hall Thrusters, which are a significant component of the SPS-25 electric propulsion system, were successfully tested in orbit in 2023. SPS-25 thrusters were previously used on the EOSAT-1 satellite, the first in a future constellation of satellites from EOS Data Analytics (EOSDA) and Dragonfly Aerospace that will focus on agricultural and land cover monitoring. EOSAT-1 launched in January 2023.

“With SETS propulsion systems having been rigorously tested and already proven to work on spacecraft in orbit, we are seeing growing demand for our products. This contract clearly demonstrates that our company is a trusted producer of ready-made solutions tailored to our customers’ specific needs,” said SETS CEO Viktor Serbin. 

“SETS looks forward to expanding its cooperation with EPS Tech to supply additional systems, as well as addressing the growing market demand for electric propulsion, which is expected to be installed on 90% of satellites in the next few years.”

“Our products also help address important global challenges, such as the growing issue of space debris. We recognize the urgency of this problem and offer a product line that aligns perfectly with the dominant trend of low earth orbit (LEO) mega-constellations and high-resolution remote sensing satellites,” Serbin added.