Advancing Low-Power Electric Propulsion for Planetary and Commercial Missions

Advancing Low-Power Electric Propulsion for Planetary and Commercial Missions
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 24, 2024

NASA has unveiled a new electric propulsion system designed for small spacecraft, aimed at supporting both planetary exploration and extending the operational life of existing satellites. This system is part of NASA's broader initiative to commercialize technology, potentially allowing the agency to procure this critical technology from industry partners for future missions.

The propulsion system, developed at NASA Glenn Research Center, is based on the NASA-H71M sub-kilowatt Hall-effect thruster. This technology is pivotal for small spacecraft requiring high-velocity changes for missions like reaching escape velocities or capturing orbits around planets. Such capabilities exceed the demands of typical commercial spacecraft, positioning this technology as a cornerstone for future planetary science missions.

Researchers have engineered this propulsion system to operate efficiently on low power while managing high-propellant throughput, crucial for the long-duration maneuvers needed in deep space missions. This system could allow small spacecraft to travel from low-Earth orbit to the Moon or Mars independently, leveraging common commercial launch paths to LEO or geosynchronous transfer orbits, significantly reducing mission costs and expanding the range of possible scientific objectives.

Additionally, the technology's enhanced capabilities could support secondary spacecraft in deviating from their primary mission paths, thus opening opportunities to explore diverse scientific targets. The system's ability to perform complex maneuvers also means these craft can enter orbits around distant bodies for extended data collection, a substantial improvement over brief flyby missions.

In the commercial sector, this propulsion technology has potential applications beyond the scientific community. The abundant use of low-power Hall-effect thrusters in today's satellite megaconstellations highlights the efficiency of these systems in performing orbital adjustments and collision avoidance maneuvers. However, the robust design of NASA's technology extends operational lifetimes far beyond current commercial standards, offering over 15,000 hours of operation and the ability to process more than 30% of a spacecraft's initial mass in propellant.

One commercial application is already underway with SpaceLogistics, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, planning to use the technology in its Mission Extension Pod. This device will act as a propulsion system for larger satellites, extending their operational lifespan by providing necessary adjustments in geosynchronous Earth orbit.

As NASA continues to develop and test this propulsion technology, it seeks to foster partnerships within the U.S. industry to adapt these advanced systems for commercial use, thereby maintaining U.S. leadership in global space technology and creating new markets for these advanced systems.