Shared Magnetics Hall Thruster, Phase I

In the proposed Phase I program, Busek Co. will demonstrate an innovative methodology for clustering Hall thrusters into a high performance, very high power propulsion system. The concept uses multiple thruster discharge assemblies with a common (shared) magnetic structure. The concept combines the benefits of clustering that include modularity, reliability, reduced beam divergence and throttleability with the cost, mass savings and power loss reduction of a shared magnetic structure. In Phase I, Busek will conduct a sub-scale demonstration of a shared magnetics cluster based on our existing BHT-600 (nominally 600 W input power) Hall thruster. A methodology for shared magnetics clustering will be developed that can be applied to the full range of Hall thruster power requirements (100 kW ? 1 MW) envisioned by NASA for obit insertion, planetary transfers and manned exploration. In Phase II a 200 ? 400 kW shared magnetics thruster based on NASA's existing high power Hall thruster technology will be designed and built. Busek is uniquely positioned to implement the proposed program having expertise in both the clustering of Hall thrusters and shared magnetics thruster development.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.