Multi-kiloWatt Hall Thruster Qualification Life Test

In this CCRPP program, Busek proposes to perform a Qualification Life Test on a high power Hall Effect Thrusters (HET) and center mounted hollow cathode assembly (HCA). The effort builds upon a NASA Phase 2 SBIR under contract number NNX14CC24C. Space Systems/Loral, LLC (SSL) is both the commercialization partner and the investor into the CCRPP program. An engineering model thruster and cathode was built and performance tested and will be entering a qualification program in 3rd quarter of CY 2017. The thruster qualification program includes building two EQM thrusters. One unit will undergo performance, environmental testing (modal, random and sinusoidal vibration and shock) and TVAC. The second unit will undergo life and cycle testing which is the only task in the thruster qualification program being proposed with CCRPP matching funds. This testing is scheduled to begin in the 4th Quarter of CY 2018. SSL leads the World in the number of satellites flying Hall thrusters. To date their preferred supplier has been OKB Fakel of Russia. Busek’s development and commercial supply for SSL, significantly strengthens the US Industrial base for multi-kilowatt Hall thrusters, while also providing NASA and the DoD a high-performance next generation design in the multi-kW power range.The primary near term NASA application of the thruster is the Psyche mission, which is currently planned to employ SPT-140 thrusters. Initial performance data of the BHT-5000 indicates significant advancement over Psyche’s present thruster technology and are strong reasons to consider the Busek thruster as a replacement for the SPT-140. Busek’s thruster will be the world’s only commercially available thruster with an internal cathode, located on the thruster’s central axis. JPL recognizes this architecture provides significant benefits to the thruster performance and provided a letter of support recommending the use of CCRPP matching funds to demonstrate thruster life.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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