INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY

A satellite equipped with the IONPRO™ Series Thruster by Desert Works Propulsion orbiting Earth, demonstrating the Annular Ion Engine’s advanced propulsion capabilities for space exploration and satellite applications.

REDEFINING ELECTRIC PROPULSION:

Modular, Scalable, and High-Performance Solutions by Desert Works Propulsion

Desert Works Propulsion’s legacy is built on visionary thinking and groundbreaking solutions that propel our industry, and we’re just getting started.

Our latest developments address market gaps and introduce innovative approaches to advance electric propulsion technology.

Medium blue band representing the IONPRO Series modular design process and a preview of capability in relativity to the earth's atmosphere.
Yellow bland representing the Turion Ion Engine-20 System, and thruster capability in relativity to the earth's atmosphere.
Light blue bland representing the patented Annular Ion Engine and thruster capability in relativity to the earth's atmosphere.

ANNULAR
ION ENGINE

Our patented Annular Ion Engine is a scalable solution with the highest performance of any EP technology, delivering superior thrust density and thrust-to-power ratio.

Partner to accelerate game-changing AIE technology.

20 cm
GRIDDED ION
SYSTEM

DWP is developing a 20 cm gridded-ion propulsion system for Turion Space’s internal program needs. The same DWP-led development path can support mission-specific systems and variants for spacecraft companies, primes, and government programs where high specific impulse, long lifetime, total impulse, and reliability matter.

Experience the unmatched performance and cost-effectiveness.

IONPRO
SERIES

Our groundbreaking modular design and construction approach for engines offers reconfigurability and mission optimization for a long-term, cost-effective solution.

License this patent-pending design and construction process.

CHALLENGE

Traditional electric propulsion thrusters are designed for single-use applications

Designing custom EP thrusters for individual mission results in:

  • Complex and numerous parts

  • Labor-intensive assembly

  • Long development and qualification times

  • High production and deployment costs

  • Limited repairability

  • Inability to adapt to operational changes, leading to quick obsolescence

  • Lack of comprehensive product-line and portfolio development

Close-up view of the IONPRO™ Series Thruster by Desert Works Propulsion, showcasing its modular design and advanced electric propulsion capabilities for mission-specific space applications.

SOLUTION

A modular design and construction approach

Our IONPRO™ Series revolutionizes engine design with its patent-pending modular approach, offering reconfigurability and mission optimization for long-term, cost-effective solutions.

  • Accelerates thruster configuration development

  • Enhances hardware endurance + extends its applications

  • Reduces re-qualification requirements

  • Enables mission-specific, user-specified configurations

  • Facilitates rapid development of multiple products from an initial design

The era of an EP thruster being a “one-and-done” will be a thing of the past with Desert Works Propulsion’s IONPRO™ Series

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CHALLENGE

The West is being outpaced in EP technology developments for Earth-orbital applications

Commercial and national security space sectors urgently need new EP thruster technology to maintain operational capabilities in Earth-Orbit and Cis-Lunar space.

A visual representation of a scalable Annular Ion Engine (AIE) technology, showcasing a circular engine with blue illuminated segments. Engine design highlights superior thrust density and efficiency compared to traditional thrusters.

SOLUTION

Scalable Electric Propulsion Technology

Desert Works Propulsion is developing the patented Annular Ion Engine (AIE), to achieve enhanced performance and revolutionize electric propulsion.

  • Scalable and bi-modal

  • 3x increase in thrust density*

  • 50-100% increase in fuel efficiency*

  • 10x increase in life*

  • Simplified manufacturing processes

*compared to the current best available technology

Annular Ion Engine (AIE) represents a natural progression of gridded ion technology beyond that embodied by NEXT ion propulsion system.

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CHALLENGE

The full potential of Gridded Ion Thrusters remains untapped in Earth-orbital applications

Gridded Ion Thrusters (GITs) excel in primary propulsion for geocentric and heliocentric missions, offering consistent performance and longevity. Despite their clear benefits compared to other electric propulsion technologies, their full potential remains untapped.

  • Efficient propellant use

  • Highest total impulse

  • Wide power throttling range

  • Low-risk technology

  • Ideal for high specific impulse missions

Turion Ion Engine-20 (TIE-20) by Desert Works Propulsion, a high-performance Gridded Ion Thruster designed for advanced satellite propulsion, showcasing its cutting-edge design and high thrust density.

SOLUTION

A GIT with the thrust-density of an HET

DWP is developing the TIE-20 configuration for Turion Space’s internal program needs and can adapt the same gridded-ion development path for other mission-specific propulsion requirements.

  • Superior total impulse for maximum lifetime

  • Maximized power efficiency for peak performance

  • Unrivaled mission delta-V per dollar for cost savings

  • Extensive fuel efficiency

  • Sustained maneuvering capabilities

  • Life-extending carbon-based designs

DWP is developing TIE-20 as a Turion-specific 20 cm gridded-ion configuration, while the same development path can support mission-specific systems and variants for other spacecraft companies, primes, and government programs.

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