AIAA LA-LV Section Enterprise Program Event

Propelling the Small Satellite Revolution Plasma is the fourth phase of matter, and it will propel the next revolution in the space industry. Using new applications of plasma-related technology, Phase Four will advance space missions through unprecedented innovation and cost-effectiveness. P4 is building the next generation in plasma propulsion technologies to meet the growing appetite for small satellite capabilities. Phase Four is developing one of the first Electric Propulsion (EP) systems for CubeSats – the CubeSat Ambipolar Thruster, or CAT. The CAT thruster works by efficiently ionizing and heating a plasma using RF “helicon” waves, and controlling the expansion of the plasma using a patented magnetic nozzle, all in a compact and scalable form factor. CAT brings the advantages of EP to the world of CubeSats and small spacecraft, and is scalable to large spacecraft. Simon Halpern is CEO and co-founder of Phase Four, a plasma propulsion company serving the fast-growing CubeSat and SmallSat markets. He has 10+ years of space industry experience working at Ball Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, and Spire Global. In 2014 he co-founded Aether Industries, a high-altitude balloon company that met with rapid commercial success. Simon founded Phase Four in 2015 to provide plasma propulsion as an enabling technology for earth observation, big data and communications. Simon holds BSE and MEng degrees in Aerospace Engineering and a MBA from the University of Michigan.