HENON – High-Efficiency Nanosatellite for Orbits and Navigation

Within the ESA HENON mission, TransMIT GmbH provided consultancy and supported the design updates, modelling, and experimental characterisation of the RIT3.5-DN3.4 Radiofrequency Ion Thruster, the core electric propulsion unit of the HENON 12-U CubeSat. This work extended TransMIT’s long-term expertise in compact, gridded ion propulsion systems, focusing on miniaturisation, RF discharge stability, and ion-optics optimisation for CubeSat-scale deep-space applications. The results achieved within HENON underpin the development of scalable RF ion propulsion for future European small-satellite missions and demonstrate the technological continuity from M-ARGO toward upcoming ESA planetary defence demonstrators, such as HENON and SATIS.

• Clark, A., Guarducci, F., Marangone, M., Lewis, S., Daykin-Iliopoulos, C., Gasa, J., Skingle, T., Turner, A., et al. (2025). Development of a CubeSat Propulsion System. In Proceedings of the 38th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC-2025-705). Oxford, United Kingdom. LINK PDF
• Guarducci, F., Marangone, M., Clark, A., Daykin-Iliopoulos, C., & Turner, A. (2025). Performance Characterisation of the RIT3.5 Radiofrequency Ion Thruster Coupled with the HC4 Hollow Cathode Neutraliser (IEPC-2025-649). Proceedings of the 38th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Oxford, United Kingdom. LINK PDF
• Marangone, M., Guarducci, F., Clark, A., Turner, A., & Daykin-Iliopoulos, C. (2025). RIT3.5-DN3.4: Development of a Miniaturised RF Ion Thruster and Dry Neutraliser for the HENON Mission (IEPC-2025-583). Proceedings of the 38th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Oxford, United Kingdom. LINK PDF
• European Space Agency. (2025, April 17). Firing up HENON’s engine. ESA Image Release. Retrieved from https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/04/Firing_up_HENON_s_engine

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