A Solid-State Oxygen Thruster for Spacecraft Propulsion
A compact space thruster that generates thrust by electrically pulling oxygen ions out of a solid material using memristor-like switching behavior.
Original patent title: “Propulsion apparatus for space vehicles and corresponding method”
A compact space thruster that generates thrust by electrically pulling oxygen ions out of a solid material using memristor-like switching behavior. Granted to Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in 2020 with 17 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a tiny thruster for spacecraft that replaces traditional liquid or gas propellants with a solid-state oxygen source. It uses a stack of materials, including an 'active layer' made of an oxide that exhibits impedance hysteresis—essentially acting like a memristor. By applying electrical pulses, the system switches the active layer between a low-resistance state (where it allows oxygen ions to pass through and be expelled into a vacuum) and a high-resistance state (where it blocks them). This allows for precise, pulse-based control over the ion flow, which is then accelerated to create thrust.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover traditional chemical rocket engines using liquid or gaseous fuels.
- Does not cover ion thrusters that rely on noble gases like xenon or krypton.
- Does not cover propulsion systems that lack the specific memristive oxide active layer described.
- Does not cover non-solid-state oxygen storage methods.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
It repurposes memristor technology—usually used for memory storage—to act as a gate for ion flow, effectively turning a solid-state material into a controllable propellant valve.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Experimental micro-propulsion systems for CubeSats
Solid-state ion thrusters for small-scale orbital maneuvering
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Small satellites, such as CubeSats, struggle with propulsion because traditional fuel tanks are bulky and dangerous. This technology offers a way to integrate propulsion directly onto a chip-like structure, potentially enabling tiny satellites to perform complex maneuvers or de-orbit themselves without needing heavy, pressurized tanks.
Filed
November 30, 2016
Granted
October 13, 2020
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) is the primary developer. Research into solid-state micro-thrusters is also being explored by various academic groups and space agencies looking to miniaturize propulsion for the growing small-satellite market.
Market impact
This patent represents an early-stage attempt to bridge the gap between semiconductor manufacturing and space propulsion. While not yet a standard industry component, it highlights a shift toward 'propulsion-on-a-chip' concepts that could eventually simplify the design and reduce the cost of operating small satellite constellations.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a tiny thruster for spacecraft that replaces traditional liquid or gas propellants with a solid-state oxygen source. It uses a stack of materials, including an 'active layer' made of an oxide that exhibits impedance hysteresis—essentially acting like a memristor. By applying electrical pulses, the system switches the active layer between a low-resistance state (where it allows oxygen ions to pass through and be expelled into a vacuum) and a high-resistance state (where it blocks them). This allows for precise, pulse-based control over the ion flow, which is then accelerated to create thrust.
The clever bit
It repurposes memristor technology—usually used for memory storage—to act as a gate for ion flow, effectively turning a solid-state material into a controllable propellant valve.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover traditional chemical rocket engines using liquid or gaseous fuels.
- Does not cover ion thrusters that rely on noble gases like xenon or krypton.
- Does not cover propulsion systems that lack the specific memristive oxide active layer described.
- Does not cover non-solid-state oxygen storage methods.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
11/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$18K – $56K
Midpoint $35K · 10.5 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
17 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
PORRO, S., & Chiolerio, A. (2020). A Solid-State Oxygen Thruster for Spacecraft Propulsion (U.S. Patent No. 10,800,552). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10800552/starlink-satellite-constellation
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A Solid-State Oxygen Thruster for Spacecraft Propulsion cover?
A compact space thruster that generates thrust by electrically pulling oxygen ions out of a solid material using memristor-like switching behavior.
Who owns patent US 10800552?
Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia owns this patent, granted in 2020.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on October 13, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Small satellites, such as CubeSats, struggle with propulsion because traditional fuel tanks are bulky and dangerous. This technology offers a way to integrate propulsion directly onto a chip-like structure, potentially enabling tiny satellites to perform complex maneuvers or de-orbit themselves without needing heavy, pressurized tanks.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover traditional chemical rocket engines using liquid or gaseous fuels.
Patent monitoring