MUSIC Hall-effect Electric Propulsion System

ALIENA is a Singapore electric propulsion company founded in 2018 by Mark Lim and George-Cristian Potrivitu. It builds Hall-effect thruster systems that let small and medium satellites raise and maintain orbits, avoid collisions and de-orbit, and it designs, builds and tests everything in Singapore, including its own power control unit, power management and propellant tank.

MUSIC (MUlti-Stage Ignition Compact Hall thruster) works in a self-ignition mode with instant start and low power, a hot mode using a hollow cathode for higher thrust and specific impulse, or a fault-tolerant dual mode. The 4U unit draws under 100 W, delivers 0.1 to 3 mN with up to about 1,000 s specific impulse and 15 kNs total impulse on xenon or krypton, and serves 12U nanosatellites up to 150 kg ESPA-class microsatellites. Larger MESSE and kW-class MFE engines extend the range for satellite operators and space agencies.

• Multi-mode operation: self-ignition, hot mode with hollow cathode, or fault-tolerant dual mode.
• Compact form factors: 1.5U unit for nanosatellites and 4U unit for microsatellites.
• Performance: up to about 3 mN thrust, 1,000 s specific impulse and 15 kNs total impulse.
• Propellant choice: configurable for xenon or krypton gas.
• Integrated subsystems: in-house power control unit, power management and tank technology.
• Qualification and test: vacuum chambers up to 2 m by 3 m, thermal vacuum testing and micro-newton thrust balance.

• Vietnamese research institutes and universities building nanosatellites that need orbit maintenance or controlled de-orbiting.
• Earth observation satellite programmes operating in very low Earth orbit for sharper imagery.
• Satellite integrators in the region co-developing propulsion clusters for new microsatellite platforms.

• Flight heritage on a 3U nanosatellite (2022), a 12U satellite (2023) and a 180 kg microsatellite (2024), reducing integration risk.
• Self-ignition mode starts instantly without hot standby, saving scarce onboard power.
• Wide thrust and specific impulse range in one unit supports orbit raising, station keeping and very low Earth orbit missions.
• In-house test and production facility with capacity of up to 100 systems per year shortens delivery times.

Small-satellite constellations for Earth observation and communications are multiplying, and operators need compact propulsion for orbit raising, collision avoidance and mandatory de-orbiting. Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam with its national satellite programmes, are building small-satellite capability and look for regional suppliers with short lead times.

Founded in 2018 in Singapore by Mark Lim (CEO) and George-Cristian Potrivitu (CTO). Operates an 8,020 sq ft propulsion test and production facility in Singapore. Recognition includes Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2024, six IEPC Best Paper Awards and Hello Tomorrow Global Champion (Aerospace Track). Three ongoing programmes with space agencies and satellite operators.