Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 11, 2026

MicroHETsat

MicroHETsat, or μHETsat, is a technology demonstration satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) for testing Hall Effect Thrusters on a microsatellite platform. The satellite was built by the Italian company SITAEL. Its development was supported by ESA's optional General Support Technology Programme (GSTP). Originally, it was expected to launch on the LauncherOne or Vega rocket, but was eventually launched on a Falcon 9 in December 2023.

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MicroHETsat
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
Operator European Space Agency
COSPAR ID2023-185E
SATCAT no.58466Edit this on Wikidata
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerItaly SITAEL
Start of mission
Launch date1 December 2023, 18:19 UTC
RocketFalcon 9
Launch siteVa SLC-4E
ContractorSpaceX

MicroHETsat, or μHETsat, is a technology demonstration satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) for testing Hall Effect Thrusters on a microsatellite platform.12 The satellite was built by the Italian company SITAEL.34 Its development was supported by ESA's optional General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).5 Originally, it was expected to launch on the LauncherOne6 or Vega3 rocket, but was eventually launched on a Falcon 9 in December 2023.7859

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Stanzione, V.; Corbelli, A.; Mariotti, Gilles; Gregucci, S.; Torre, A.; Santandrea, S.; Ferroni, M.; Cantiello, I.; Di Clemente, M. (2025-03-21). Petrozzi-Ilstad, Max (ed.). "ESA microHETSat spacecraft acceptance, launch campaign, and in-flight experience". Proceedings Volume 13546, Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2024). SPIE: 5. doi:10.1117/12.3059488. ISBN 978-1-5106-8894-0.
  2. Stanzione, V.; Melega, N.; Misuri, T. (2016-08-10). "IOV mission of a mini-Hall Effect Thruster (HET), on-board S-50 micro-satellite class platform". Small Satellite Conference.
  3. "µHETsat". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  4. "Compact electric thruster cleared for space firing". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  5. "Planetek supporting microHETSat the first all-electric small satellite | Planetek Italia". www.planetek.it. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  6. SpaceRef (2017-08-11). "Virgin Orbit to launch SITAEL satellite in ESA/ASI program". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  7. daniele.semeraro@angelcompany.com (2023-12-02). "SpaceX launches SITAEL's microHETSat". SITAEL S.p.A. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  8. Staff, Editorial (2024-01-30). "The made in Apulia electric satellite is in orbit". Electric Motor Engineering. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  9. SITAEL (2024-03-07). "Italy in Space: Setting New Records for Electric Propulsion in Routine Operations". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2026-01-17.