The historical record of the SERT II spacecraft and ion thruster systems for 8 years since the February 1970 launch is reviewed. The original SERT II mission, one year duration, was planned with the spacecraft in a continuous sunlight orbit to provide continuous solar power. An extended mission, using intermittent power available from an earth shadowed orbit has been performed during the past 5 years while waiting for the orbit to change again to continuous sunlight in early 1979. Continuous thruster testing is planned in 1979. Both spacecraft and ion thruster systems are near-fully functional when the solar array is illuminated. Thruster system 2 is fully operational. Thruster system 1 continues to demonstrate relight capability, but the high-voltage-grid short remains.


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    Title :

    Status of SERT II spacecraft and ion thrusters - 1978


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    International Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1978 ; San Diego, CA, US


    Publication date :

    1978-04-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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