The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's Electric Propulsion Space Experiment was launched and successfully operated on the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite, demonstrating the compatibility and readiness of high-power electric propulsion. This flight was the culmination of an Air Force technology program to demonstrate the applicability of high-power electric propulsion for satellite applications. A brief history of the program is presented, followed by a description of the flight operations, which successfully demonstrated the critical system components, the arcjet, power processor, and propellant feed system, verifying the interoperability of high- power electric propulsion with satellite operations. The two anomalies experienced during on-orbit operations, and their proposed causes, are also described.
Review of the Electric Propulsion Space Experiment (ESEX) Program (Postprint)
2002
9 pages
Report
No indication
English