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A MET, or microwave electrothermal thruster, is a particular kind of spaceship propulsion technology. It generates thrust by combining microwave heating and electrothermal processes. Using microwaves, the system heats a propellant gas, enabling it to expand and provide thrust.
A magnetron in a MET produces microwaves that are sent into a waveguide. The waveguide then directs the microwaves into a cavity that is resonant and filled with gas for propulsion. The gas rapidly heats up due to the microwaves, becoming a plasma. Thrust is produced as the plasma expands via a nozzle.
A MET’s ability to use a variety of propellants, including as xenon, argon, and hydrogen, is one of its benefits. As a result, it serves as a flexible propulsion system for various missions. The ability to function efficiently and produce reasonably high amounts of thrust given their size is another benefit of METs.
METs do have some restrictions, though. They could need a lot of electricity to operate, and they might be difficult to design and construct.
Other systems on the spaceship may experience interference due to electromagnetic interference produced by the plasma produced by a MET. Overall, METs are a promising technology for spaceship propulsion, but additional study and development are required to reach their full potential.
Global Microwave Electrothermal Thruster market accounted for $XX Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2023 to 2030.
Microwave Electro-thermal Thrusters (MET), a cutting-edge form of electric propulsion for satellites, have been created and patented by Bellatrix Aerospace.
Microwaves are utilized in the MET thruster, an electrode-free, vortex-stabilized device, to heat the propellant and create a high-temperature exhaust for in-space propulsion. This is a powerful electric propulsion system that can run on a variety of propellants, including water vapor, nitrogen, xenon, argon, and nitrogen.
Momentous Space is creating Vigoride, a space tug that employs water as the fuel and a microwave electrothermal thruster (MET).
The MET’s initial test in space was conducted and was declared successful in a press release In a vacuum room at the company’s headquarters, Momentous’ most recent generation of thrusters underwent testing and passed 350 tests.
The SpaceX Transporter-5 is scheduled to launch in June , and that will be Vigoride’s first flight. In the event that the necessary government approvals are obtained and a spot is available on a launch provider’s manifest, Momentous intends to launch the first Vigoride mission in late or early.
