# 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. - **Patent:** US 10800552 - **Original title:** Propulsion apparatus for space vehicles and corresponding method - **Owner:** Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia - **Granted:** 2020 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** aerospace, semiconductors, mechanical ## What it does 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 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Experimental micro-propulsion systems for CubeSats 2. Solid-state ion thrusters for small-scale orbital maneuvering ## 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10800552/starlink-satellite-constellation **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10800552 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Tiny Water-Powered Thrusters Steer Small Satellites](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11878818/starlink-maritime) — A method for building microscopic water-based rocket engines that use heat to push water through tiny nozzles to steer small satellites in space. - [How Boeing Stacks Electric Space Vehicles for Launch](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11708181/mechazilla-catch-tower) — A design for a launch vehicle that carries two space vehicles stacked on top of each other, both using electric propulsion systems for movement in space. - [How Solar Sails Use Moving Vanes to Steer in Space](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11905044/starlink-rv-roaming) — A solar sail design that uses multiple independently moving reflective vanes made of shape-memory materials to steer spacecraft using only the pressure of sunlight. - [How Satellites Use Split Thrusters to Reach Orbit Faster](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11753188/direct-to-cell-starlink) — A method for satellites with electric engines to manage their power usage by staggering when they fire thrusters, allowing them to reach their final orbit more quickly. - [Building Metal Parts Without Melting: Solid-State 3D Printing System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11311959/solid-state-additive-manufacturing-system-and-material-compositions-and-structur) — This patent describes a system for building or repairing metal parts by frictionally heating and stirring materials together without melting them, precisely controlling the material's internal structure as it's made.