Omnivore™ Thruster
Our Omnivore™ solar thermal thruster provides the best combination of speed and efficiency. It’s an affordable engine that turns any volatile fluid into propellant, including (but not limited to) water, ammonia, and hydrogen.
How Omnivore Compares to Other Satellite Propulsion Options
| Electric and Microwave | Chemical Rockets | Omnivore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | High | Moderate | Low: No large solar array needed |
| Speed | Slow | Fast | Fast: High Thrust |
| Complexity | High | Low | Low: Monopropellant, no PPU |
| Flexibility | Low | Low | High: Thruster can switch propellant |
| Adaptability | Low | Moderate | High: Good for many misison types |
How Omnivore Uses Water and Other Fluids as Propellant
SUN + PROPELLANT = THRUST
Water vapor is injected to porous ceramic foam disks, where it quickly superheats the gas. With only one outlet in its flow path, the gas exits at the nozzle with choked flow and generates thrust to propel the spacecraft. The ceramic foam inserts are a porous network of bubbles that allow gaseous water to flow through to the exhaust. The ceramic foam is able to absorb heat up to 3000 Kelvin (nearly 5000°F) and still maintain its structure.