Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the successful completion of a 1,000-hour life test on its 300 Milli Newton Stationary Plasma Thruster, that is developed for induction in the Electric Propulsion System of satellites. According to ISRO, the life test was carried out under the full power level of 5.4 kilowatts in a chamber that simulates the vacuum conditions of space and the erosion of the electrode liners was periodically monitored. ISRO said this information will be an important role in satellite orbit management.
The Electric Propulsion System is proposed to replace the chemical propulsion system in future satellites of the space agency and pave the way for communication satellites which use only electric propulsion systems for orbit raising and station keeping. The induction of these thrusters will result in extensive mass savings thereby enabling the enhancement of transponder capacity in communication satellites.
