MicroHETsat
| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
|---|---|
| Operator |  European Space Agency |
| COSPAR ID | 2023-185E |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer |  SITAEL |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 1 December 2023, 18:19 UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 |
| Launch site | Va SLC-4E |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
MicroHETsat, or μHETsat, is a technology demonstration satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) for testing Hall Effect Thrusters on a microsatellite platform.[1][2] The satellite was built by the Italian company SITAEL.[3][4] Its development was supported by ESA's optional General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).[5] Originally, it was expected to launch on the LauncherOne[6] or Vega[3] rocket, but was eventually launched on a Falcon 9 in December 2023.[7][8][5][9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Stanzione, V.; Corbelli, A.; Mariotti, Gilles; Gregucci, S.; Torre, A.; Santandrea, S.; Ferroni, M.; Cantiello, I.; Di Clemente, M. (2025-03-21). Petrozzi-Ilstad, Max (ed.). "ESA microHETSat spacecraft acceptance, launch campaign, and in-flight experience". Proceedings Volume 13546, Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2024). SPIE: 5. doi:10.1117/12.3059488. ISBN 978-1-5106-8894-0.
- ^ Stanzione, V.; Melega, N.; Misuri, T. (2016-08-10). "IOV mission of a mini-Hall Effect Thruster (HET), on-board S-50 micro-satellite class platform". Small Satellite Conference.
- ^ a b "µHETsat". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ "Compact electric thruster cleared for space firing". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ a b "Planetek supporting microHETSat the first all-electric small satellite | Planetek Italia". www.planetek.it. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ SpaceRef (2017-08-11). "Virgin Orbit to launch SITAEL satellite in ESA/ASI program". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ daniele.semeraro@angelcompany.com (2023-12-02). "SpaceX launches SITAEL's microHETSat". SITAEL S.p.A. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ Staff, Editorial (2024-01-30). "The made in Apulia electric satellite is in orbit". Electric Motor Engineering. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
- ^ SITAEL (2024-03-07). "Italy in Space: Setting New Records for Electric Propulsion in Routine Operations". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
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