General

Dr Chengyu Ma, Associate Researcher

Innovation Academy for Microsatellites (IAMCAS) of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Email: macy@microsate.com

Mailing Address: Building 4, No. 99 Haike Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
Postal Code: 201210


Research Areas

Primarily engaged in the research and development of advanced space propulsion technologies and spacecraft platforms, ensuring the on-orbit maneuverability of satellites through the collaborative design and optimized integration of propulsion systems and platforms. Focusing on cutting-edge applications such as low-cost satellite constellations, ultra-low orbit satellites, and on-orbit servicing spacecraft, research encompasses advanced propulsion technologies including Hall thrusters, radio-frequency ion thrusters, electrospray thrusters, HAN-based monopropellant decomposition systems, hydrogen-oxygen bipropellant combustion systems, multimodal integration, and air-breathing electric propulsion. Some research achievements have been applied to the LUR-1 satellite of Spain. Has led or participated in more than 10 scientific research projects funded by institutions such as the Key Laboratory of Satellite Digital Technology of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Natural Science Foundation, European Space Agency (ESA), United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA), and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the United States. Published over 30 papers, obtained 8 patents, and been selected for the Global Talent Program of the Royal Academy of Engineering in United Kingdom and the Shanghai Magnolia Award Talent Program. Committed to providing efficient and reliable power solutions for advanced space missions.

Education

  • 2016.04–2020.10
    PhD, University of Southampton
  • 2014.10–2016.02
    MSc, Cranfield University
  • 2010.09–2014.07
    BEng, Harbin Institute of Technology

Experience

   
Work Experience

  • Oct 2024–Present
    Associate Researcher, Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Oct 2023–Sep 2024
    Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aethor Ltd
  • Feb 2023–Feb 2024
    Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Applied Atomics Ltd
  • Jul 2022–Sep 2024
    Propulsion Engineer, NewOrbit Space Ltd
  • Apr 2021–Sep 2022
    Research Fellow, University of Southampton
  • Nov 2019–Apr 2021
    Research Associate, Imperial College London

Publications

   
Papers
  1. Performance Characterisation of an Air-breathing Thruster Neutralised by an Air-breathing Cathode at NewOrbit Space, Proceedings of the 38th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2024, 1st Author
  2. Green Ionic Liquid Multimode Monopropellant Based Chemical Micro-thruster, Proceedings of AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum, 2022
  3. Characterization of Ionic Liquid Multimode Propellant Operating in a Porous Glass Electrospray Thruster, Proceedings of the 37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2022
  4. Effects of Propellant Temperature on Fragmentation in the Plume of a Porous Electrospray Thruster, Proceedings of the 37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2022
  5. Development of Porous Emitter Electrospray Thruster Using Advanced Manufacturing Processes, Proceedings of the 37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2022
  6. The design, fabrication and test progress summary of the iridium catalysed electrolysis thruster, Proceedings of Space Propulsion Conference 2020+1, 2021
  7. ICE: A Modular Water Electrolysis Propulsion System, Proceedings of Space Propulsion Conference 2020+1, 2021
  8. Plume Study of an Electrospray Thruster Using a HAN-Based Dual-Mode Ionic Liquid Propellant, Proceedings of the 37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2021, 1st Author and Corresponding Author
  9. Emission Characterization of Porous Electrospray Thrusters with Controlled Flow Rate, Proceedings of the 37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2021
  10. Plume Composition Measurements of a High-Emission-Density Electrospray Thruster, Journal of Propulsion and Power, 2021
  11. Plume Particle Energy Analysis of an Ionic Liquid Electrospray Ion Source, Journal of Applied Physics, 2021
  12. Investigation of a plasma delivery system for optical figuring process, Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 2021
  13. Plume Characterization of a Porous Electrospray Thruster, Proceedings of the 36th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2019, 1st Author and Corresponding Author
  14. Characterization of a Micro-electrospray Thruster with a Porous Glass Emitter Array, Proceedings of the Space Propulsion Conference 2018, 2018, 1st Author and Corresponding Author
  15. A Miniature Electrospray Thruster for Precise Attitude Control of a Nanosatellite, Proceedings of 4th IAA Conference on Dynamics and Control of Space Systems 2018, PTS I-III, 2018, 1st Author and Corresponding Author
  16. The Design and Characterization of a Porous-emitter Electrospray Thruster (PET-100) for Interplanetary CubeSats, Proceeding of iCubeSat 2018, the 7th Interplanetary CubeSat Workshop, 2018, 1st Author and Corresponding Author
  17. Feasibility Study of a Micro-Electrospray Thruster Based on a Porous Glass Emitter Substrate, Proceedings of the 35th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2017, 1st Author and Corresponding Author
  18. Numerical Study of a Low-Cost Micro-Electrospray Thruster with Hyper-Multiplexed Emitters, Proceedings of the 14th Reinventing Space Conference, 2016, 1st Author and Corresponding Author
  19. Experimental Study of Hollow Anode Position Effect on Cusped Field Thruster, Proceedings of the Joint Conference of 30th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, the 34th International Electric Propulsion Conference and 6th Nano-satellite Symposium, 2015
  20. Experimental study on a variable magnet length cusped field thruster, VACUUM, 2015
  21. Plume Control of a Cusped Field Thruster, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 2015
  22. Study of the electric field formation in a multi-cusped magnetic field, Physics of Plasmas, 2014
  23. Particle-in-Cell Simulations for a variable magnet length Cusped-Field thruster, Proceedings of the 33rd International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2013
  24. Experiment Research on a Variable Magnet Length Cusped Field Thruster, Proceedings of the 33rd International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2013
Patents
  1. Method for Controlling Plume Divergence Angle of Cusped Magnetic Field Thruster, Invention Patent, 2013, 4th Author, Patent No.: CN201310253490.1
  2. Radiative Cooling Device for Multistage Cusped Magnetic Field Plasma Thruster, Invention Patent, 2014, 4th Author, Patent No.: CN201410074568.8
  3. Variable Cross-Section Channel for Multistage Cusped Magnetic Field Plasma Thruster, Invention Patent, 2014, 4th Author, Patent No.: CN201410074742.9
  4. Segmented Ceramic Channel for Multistage Tip Cusped Magnetic Field Plasma Thruster, Invention Patent, 2014, 3rd Author, Patent No.: CN201410075274.7
  5. Modular Multistage Cusped Magnetic Field Plasma Thruster, Invention Patent, 2014, 2nd Author, Patent No.: CN201410114043.2
  6. Multistage Cusped Magnetic Field Plasma Thruster with Channel Magnetic Field Guidance Structure, Invention Patent, 2014, 2nd Author, Patent No.: CN201410293206.8
  7. Assembly Mechanism for Annular Permanent Magnet, Invention Patent, 2014, 1st Author, Patent No.: CN201410074715.1
  8. Multistage Cusped Magnetic Field Plasma Thruster with Adjustable Magnetic Field Configuration, Invention Patent, 2013, 1st Author, Patent No.: CN201310378985.7


Conferences

  1. Performance Characterisation of an Air-breathing Thruster Neutralised by an Air-breathing Cathode at NewOrbit Space
    38th International Electric Propulsion Conference, August 2025
  2. Optical Emission Characterization of a Single Emitter Electrospray Thruster Interacting With Surfaces
    AIAA SCITECH Forum, January 2023
  3. Characterization of Ionic Liquid Multimode Propellant Operating in a Porous Glass Electrospray Thruster
    37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2022
  4. Effects of Propellant Temperature on Fragmentation in the Plume of a Porous Electrospray Thruster
    37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2022
  5. Development of Porous Emitter Electrospray Thruster Using Advanced Manufacturing Processes
    37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2022
  6. Optical Emission Characterization of a Single Emitter Electrospray Thruster Interacting With Surfaces
    37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2022
  7. Emission Characterization of Porous Electrospray Thrusters with Actively Controlled Flow Rate
    37th International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2022
  8. Green Ionic Liquid Multimode Monopropellant Based Chemical Micro-thruster
    AIAA SCITECH Forum, January 2022
  9. The Design, Fabrication and Test Progress Summary of the Iridium Catalysed Electrolysis Thruster
    Space Propulsion Conference 2020+1, August 2021
  10. ICE: A Modular Water Electrolysis Propulsion System
    Space Propulsion Conference 2020+1, May 2021
  11. Plume Characterization of a Porous Electrospray Thruster
    36th International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2019
  12. Characterization of a Micro-electrospray Thruster with a Porous Glass Emitter Array
    Space Propulsion Conference, September 2018
  13. A Miniature Electrospray Thruster for Precise Attitude Control of a Nanosatellite
    4th IAA Conference on Dynamics and Control of Space Systems, August 2018
  14. The Design and Characterization of a Porous-emitter Electrospray Thruster (PET-100) for Interplanetary CubeSats
    iCubeSat 2018: 7th Interplanetary CubeSat Workshop, June 2018
  15. Feasibility Study of a Micro-Electrospray Thruster Based on a Porous Glass Emitter Substrate
    35th International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2017
  16. Numerical Study of a Low-Cost Micro-Electrospray Thruster with Hyper-Multiplexed Emitters
    14th Reinventing Space Conference, June 2016
  17. Experimental Study of Hollow Anode Position Effect on Cusped Field Thruster
    Joint Conference of 30th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, 34th International Electric Propulsion Conference and 6th Nano-satellite Symposium, October 2015
  18. Particle-in-Cell Simulations for the Effect of Magnetic Field Strength to a Cusped Field Thruster
    7th National College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition Annual Conference, October 2014
  19. Particle-in-Cell Simulations for a Variable Magnet Length Cusped-Field Thruster
    33rd International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2013
  20. Experiment Research on a Variable Magnet Length Cusped Field Thruster
    33rd International Electric Propulsion Conference, October 2013
  21. Design and Experimental Research on Multistage Cusped Field Plasma Thruster
    9th China Electric Propulsion Academic Symposium, September 2013
  22. Research and Development Status of High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thrusters (HEMPT)
    9th China Electric Propulsion Academic Symposium, September 2013
  23. Experimental Observation and Control of Current Oscillation in Plasma Thruster Discharging Channel
    9th China Electric Propulsion Academic Symposium, September 2013

Honors & Distinctions

  1. NexTidal Start-up London Roadshow Competition, Second Prize, 2024
  2. Anthony Wright Best Doctoral Dissertation Award, Second Prize, University of Southampton, 2020
  3. University of Southampton Outstanding PhD Scholarship, First Prize, 2017
  4. Dragonfly Project – Interstellar Research Program International Competition, Second Prize, 2015
  5. Harbin Institute of Technology Outstanding Graduation Thesis, First Prize, 2014
  6. Harbin Institute of Technology Zuguang Cup College Students' Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Creativity Competition, Grand Prize, 2013
  7. National College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition Annual Conference Best Paper Award, First Prize (Ministerial Level), 2013
  8. National College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, Second Prize (Ministerial Level), 2013
  9. Academic Rising Star Award, First Prize, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2013
  10. Outstanding League Member Special Contribution Award, First Prize, Harbin Institute of Technology, 2012