LVAT-1 Micropropulsion System and Its Typical Applications for Pico/Nano Satellite

LVAT-1 is the first generation Vacuum Arc Thruster developed by Lanzhou Institute of Physics.It can be used for pico/nano satellite micropropulsion control due to its small volume, small power consumption and high specific impulse.The basic structure and operation principle and the latest reach development of LVAT-1 are introduced in this paper.Thus the typical applications of LVAT-1 in orbital maneuvers and in drag-free flight for Cubesat are emphatically described.Finally, the problems in space application and corresponding suggestions for LAVT-1 are given.