The possible demonstration flight of a UK-10 ion propulsion system on ESA's SAT-2 spacecraft, which is due to be launched in mid-1993 to demonstrate advanced communications technologies is discussed. This propulsion system, which provides an exhaust velocity, or specific impulse more than an order of magnitude higher than that attainable with chemical thrusters, can be used for north-south stationkeeping, thereby augmenting the capabilities of the conventional orbit control facilities of the satellite. For a total dry mass of less than 40 kg, the on-station lifetime of the spacecraft can be doubled to 10 years by this means.
Proposed Demonstration of the UK-10 Ion Propulsion System on ESA's (European Space Agency's) SAT-2 Spacecraft
1988
10 pages
Report
No indication
English
ESA's (European Space Agency's) Activities Report
NTIS | 1988
|Space technology - Ion thrusters steady ESA's new spacecraft
Online Contents | 2007