L-3 Communications ETI Electric Propulsion Overview

*† ‡ § ** L-3 Communications Electron Technologies Inc. (ETI) is a new company (formerly Hughes/Boeing EDD) with more than 40 years experience in electric propulsion (EP). The EP Product Line is currently producing 25cm xenon ion thrusters (XIT) and power controller units (XPC) for the Boeing Satellite Systems 702 satellites. There are 100 combined 13 cm and 25 cm xenon ion thrusters in orbit with over 125,000 cumulated flight hours. Life test results of 21,000 hours have been obtained with the 13 cm xenon ion thruster and over 15,550 hours of 25 cm xenon ion thruster life testing have been completed to date. ETI is also producing 30cm xenon ion thrusters and power processor units (PPU) for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Dawn spacecraft and developing the power processor unit for NASA GRC 40cm NEXT ion thruster. In this paper, we will provide an overview of our manufacturing process, test capabilities and life test results.