Satellite control mercury ion thruster

Abstract

Program status is reviewed for development of an 8-cm structurally integrated ion thruster for application to attitude control and stationkeeping of synchronous satellites. The system is designed to achieve a thrust level of 1 and 2 mlb at a beam voltage of 1200 V, a propellant-utilization efficiency of 85%, and electrical efficiency of 75%. Thrust vectoring will be implemented by a dished-gird roll misalignment system. Design features are incorporated which ensure thruster life of 20,000 hours, with 10,000 thruster-start cycles and 100,000 beam-deflection cycles.