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.

What it 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.

What it doesn't 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.

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.

Why it matters

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.

Real-world examples

• 1.Experimental micro-propulsion systems for CubeSats
• 2.Solid-state ion thrusters for small-scale orbital maneuvering