# How Satellites Use Split Thrusters to Reach Orbit Faster

> 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.

- **Patent:** US 11753188
- **Original title:** Optimized power balanced low thrust transfer orbits utilizing split thruster execution
- **Owner:** Boeing Co
- **Granted:** 2023
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 0
- **Field:** aerospace, mechanical

## What it does

This patent describes a way to manage the limited electricity available to a satellite using electric propulsion. When a satellite emerges from the Earth's shadow (an eclipse), its solar arrays begin generating power. Instead of turning on all thrusters at once, which might drain the batteries or exceed the power budget, the system staggers the start times of different thrusters. By firing a second thruster after a calculated delay, the satellite balances the power needed for propulsion against the power required to recharge its batteries. This ensures the satellite maximizes its thrust time during the sunlight portion of its orbit, ultimately shortening the time it takes to reach its final destination.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover chemical propulsion systems that do not rely on solar-powered electric thrusters.
- Does not cover satellites that do not use batteries to store power for use during eclipse periods.
- Does not cover thruster firing sequences that are not based on an electric power balance calculation.
- Does not cover systems that fire all thrusters simultaneously regardless of power availability.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in the 'split thruster execution'—by intentionally delaying the second thruster, the system prevents a massive initial power spike, allowing the satellite to maintain a higher average thrust level throughout the entire sunlight portion of the orbit.

## Real-world examples

1. Boeing 702 satellite bus series
2. Electric propulsion satellites in Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO)

## Why it matters

Electric orbit raising is a slow process that can take months. Every day spent moving to a final orbit is a day the satellite is not earning revenue for its operator. By optimizing the power cycle, Boeing's method allows satellites to reach their operational slots faster, which is critical for commercial telecommunications and military satellite constellations.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Satellites Use Split Thrusters to Reach Orbit Faster cover?

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.

### Who owns patent US 11753188?

Boeing Co owns this patent, granted in 2023.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on September 12, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What problem does this patent solve?

Electric orbit raising is a slow process that can take months. Every day spent moving to a final orbit is a day the satellite is not earning revenue for its operator. By optimizing the power cycle, Boeing's method allows satellites to reach their operational slots faster, which is critical for commercial telecommunications and military satellite constellations.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover chemical propulsion systems that do not rely on solar-powered electric thrusters.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11753188/direct-to-cell-starlink

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11753188

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._