ArianeGroup RIT-2X ion thruster
ArianeGroup's RIT-2X is a large radio-frequency gridded-ion thruster derived from the RIT22 line but with a larger diameter and an improved design for manufacturing, robustness, and production risk. ArianeGroup publishes three operating bands spanning 2-5.3 kW, 70-215 mN, and 2,450-3,500 s; ESA records the larger-diameter boundary and a de-risking program, while the bounded evidence does not establish a current lifecycle state.
Identity
- Aliases
- RIT 2XRIT2X
- Domains
- spaceflight
- Identity Level
- model
- Kind
- electric-thruster
- Name
- ArianeGroup RIT-2X ion thruster
- Status
- unknown
Details
- Description
- ArianeGroup's RIT-2X is a large radio-frequency gridded-ion thruster derived from the RIT22 line but with a larger diameter and an improved design for manufacturing, robustness, and production risk. ArianeGroup publishes three operating bands spanning 2-5.3 kW, 70-215 mN, and 2,450-3,500 s; ESA records the larger-diameter boundary and a de-risking program, while the bounded evidence does not establish a current lifecycle state.
- Electric Specs
- Input Power Kw Max
- 5.3
- Input Power Kw Min
- 2
- Specific Impulse SMax
- 3,500
- Specific Impulse SMin
- 2,450
- Thrust NMax
- 0.215
- Thrust NMin
- 0.07
- Lineage
- Note
- ESA explicitly compares RIT-2X to RIT22 and identifies the larger-diameter, improved design boundary.
- Related Propulsion System
- Relationship
- direct-derivative-of
- Sources
- Nested value
- Propellants
- xenon
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 15, 2026 at 03:11:39 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 15, 2026 at 03:11:39 UTC
Other
- Sources
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-14
- Note
- ArianeGroup's orbital-propulsion brochure publishes the RIT-2X performance bands: 2,000-2,500 W with 70-88 mN and 3,400-3,500 s; 4,000-4,500 W with 151-171 mN and 3,300-3,500 s; and 4,800-5,300 W with 198-215 mN and 2,450-2,750 s.
- Publisher
- ArianeGroup
- Title
- Orbital Propulsion
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-14
- Note
- ESA's de-risking project describes RIT-2X as larger diameter than RIT22 with an improved design for manufacturing, robustness, and reduced production risks.
- Publisher
- European Space Agency
- Title
- De-Risking Development Activities for Customized RIT 2X
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-14
- Note
- ArianeGroup records an initial production order for RIT 2X electric-propulsion flight sets from Boeing, establishing a material application boundary without claiming current in-service status.
- Publisher
- ArianeGroup
- Title
- ArianeGroup gets first production order from Boeing to provide future Satellites with New Generation of Electric Propulsion