SPRITE MOBILITY UNIT

The Sprite Mobility Unit is a self-contained propulsion module that provides a simple, plug-and-play solution for adding maneuverability to CubeSats and SmallSats. Designed for rapid integration, Sprite enables orbit adjustment, momentum management, collision avoidance, station keeping, and end-of-life deorbiting without requiring customers to develop a custom propulsion system.

Technical Overview

Each module contains a flight-proven 0.1 N ASCENT (AF-M315E) monopropellant thruster, propellant storage, electronics, valves, heaters, and control hardware within a compact package. Multiple modules can be installed on a single spacecraft and operated collectively, allowing propulsion capability to scale with mission requirements while maintaining a consistent spacecraft interface.

Sprite communicates with the host spacecraft through an RS-422 interface. Up to eight modules can be integrated on a single vehicle, with module-to-module synchronization achieved through an RS-485 network. This architecture allows coordinated operation of all installed modules while keeping the spacecraft interface unchanged regardless of the number of propulsion units deployed.

The system fits within a compact 10 cm × 10 cm × 15 cm envelope. Its lightweight, predominantly additively manufactured titanium structure incorporates integrated propellant management devices (PMDs) to maximize propellant utilization in microgravity. With a wet mass below 2 kg, Sprite delivers more than 1,000 N·s of total impulse, providing meaningful mission mobility in a highly integrated package.

For missions requiring enhanced capability, Sprite can be configured with an auxiliary propellant feed port to support a secondary electric propulsion subsystem, enabling a dual-mode architecture that combines rapid chemical maneuvering with efficient long-duration station keeping.

Separate power rails for control electronics, heaters, and valves improve operational safety and simplify spacecraft integration. An externally accessible fueling port supports flexible mission operations, with fueling services available either before or after spacecraft integration depending on customer requirements.

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Specifications

ATTRIBUTE SPRITE MOBILITY UNIT
TRL 8 - Flight Qualified
TOTAL IMPULSE > 1000NS
WET MASS < 2.0 Kg
VOLTAGE 5V / 9 - 12V
PRESSURE (BOL) 275 PSIA
POWER 2 - 16 W
THRUST 0.15 - 0.05 N
COMM RS-422 / RS-485
SpaceX RPUG v10 Demonstrated Compliance