THE DEVELOPMENT AND QUALIFICATION OF A 4.5 KW HALL THRUSTER PROPULSION SYSTEM
This paper provides an updated status of the 4.5 kW Hall Thruster Propulsion Subsystem development and qualification program at Aerojet’s Redmond operation (formerly General Dynamics Space Propulsion System) and Lockheed Martin. This subsystem is being developed to support geosynchronous satellite applications for both commercial and military applications. This paper describes the mission application, performance, program plan and current status of the development program. The overall system, including the Power Processor Unit, the Xenon Flowrate Controller, the Hall Thruster and Cathode and the Xenon Feed System is also described. The system currently under development is planned to be used for both orbit insertion from an initial geosynchronous transfer orbit and on-orbit stationkeeping and repositioning maneuvers. The HTPS takes advantage of the dual-mode capabilities and wide operating power range of the Aerojet BPT-4000 Hall thruster to maximize efficiency for each mission phase.
NASA's 2004 Hall Thruster Program
An overview of NASA's Hall thruster research and development tasks conducted during fiscal year 2004 is presented. These tasks focus on: raising the technology readiness level of high power Hall thrusters, developing a moderate-power/ moderate specific impulse Hall thruster, demonstrating high-power/high specific impulse Hall thruster operation, and addressing the fundamental technical challenges of emerging Hall thruster concepts. Programmatic background information, technical accomplishments and out year plans for each program element performed under the sponsorship of the In-Space Transportation Program, Project Prometheus, and the Energetics Project are provided.
Space Station Cathode Ignition Test Status at 32,000 Cycles
James S. ZakanyNYMA, Inc., Brook Park, OhioLuis R. PifieroLewis Research Center, Cleveland, OhioPrepared for the25th International Electric Propulsion Conferencesponsored by the Electric Rocket Propulsion SocietyCleveland, Ohio, August 24-28, 1997National Aeronautics andSpace AdministrationLewis Research Center