The historical record of the SERT II ion thrusters and spacecraft performance for 6 1/2 years since the February 1970 launch is reviewed. The most recent ion thruster operation test shows no changes since 1974. Thruster 2 is fully operational with no performance degradation. Thruster 1 has a high voltage grid short, but continues to demonstrate cathode and discharge relight capability. Spacecraft orbit and dynamic analysis indicates a stable, sun-synchronous spacecraft orientation by 1979. An attitude adjustment maneuver was performed in August 1976 to achieve this orientation and provide sufficient continuous solar power for thruster operation in 1979.


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    Title :

    Status of SERT 2 thrusters and spacecraft 1976


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Intern. Elec. Propulsion Conf. ; 1976 ; Key Biscayne, FL, United States


    Publication date :

    1976-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English







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