BIT-3 RF ion thruster
Tiny iodine ion engine for small deep space probes
Busek
Massachusetts maker of electric thrusters for spacecraft, from Hall thrusters to iodine ion engines for small deep-space probes. It flew the first U.S. Hall thruster in space and supplied thrusters for ESA's LISA Pathfinder.
Long-established private propulsion firm (about 35 years, per its site); listed for its deep-space electric propulsion.
Products, by altitude
Deep space · Beyond Mars
In service ![]()
In service ![]()
Electrospray thrusters
Ultra-fine thrusters that hold spacecraft extremely steady
Low Earth orbit · 160–2,000 km
In service ![]()
Hall thrusters (BHT series)
Electric thrusters that move satellites and hold them in place
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction