Impact of Ion Propulsion on Performance, Design, Testing and Operation of a Geosynchronous Spacecraft

Abstract

This thesis presents the implementation issues of an ion propulsion subsystem (IPS) on a geosynchronous communications satellite. As an example, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Follow-On class satellite is selected for this study. The issues include: (1) impact of integration of IPS with other subsystems, such as the electrical power subsystem to take care of the heavy demand of power requirements and location of the subsystem with least impact on attitude control and plume impingement on solar arrays, (2) environmental considerations- particulate contamination, electrostatic discharge (ESD), and electromagnetic interference (EMI), and finally risks and benefits. Ion propulsion offers significant advantages over chemical propulsion due to its high specific impulse and the advent of xenon thruster technology, multikilowatt spacecraft, and nickel-hydrogen (Ni-H2) batteries with demonstrated high cycle life have combined to make the ion thruster attractive for North-South Station Keeping (NSSK).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA237028

Entities

People

  • Spotrizano D. Lugtu

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Control Systems
  • Electric Power
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Electromagnetic Interference
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Ion Propulsion
  • Ion Thrusters
  • Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Radio Frequency
  • Rockets
  • Solar Panels
  • Spacecraft
  • Thrust

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Software Engineering
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites