Applications of Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster as in-space propulsion subsystem for PhoneSat

The George Washington University (GWU) has developed a scalable, efficient and relatively safe electric propulsion device, for small spacecraft applications, called the Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster (μCAT). The first on-orbit demonstration of this thruster subsystem capability is planned in the second half of 2014, as the primary experiment onboard a US Naval Academy BRICSat-P mission, utilizing a 1.5U CubeSat, for validating the performance and design.