Electric Propulsion Developments at Rafael

During the past couple of decades, Rafael is developing Electric Propulsion Systems (EPS) and components. Venus is a program to demonstrate superspectral imaging and precise orbit keeping using Electric Propulsion. In the scope of this project, Rafael developed HET thrusters, the HET-300 to suit a small satellite providing sub-kilowatt power. To operate two such thrusters, PPU-600 was developed, which can supply up to 600W continuously to one thruster. A 16 kg fuel tank supplies the Xenon for the mission. All these components were developed, manufactured and qualified. The Venus Propulsion Base Assembly (PBA) was integrated and fire-tested as a whole All-In-One system in a large vacuum chamber. In order to support the mission's demand for high precision orbit maintenance, a dedicated Technological Mission Module (TMM) was developed. Another recent project is MEPS (Microsatellite Electric Propulsion System). This cooperation with ESA and European companies is aimed to produce a novel low power system for microsatellites. In the frame of this project, a low power high efficiency thruster, a heaterless cathode, PMA, and fuel tank will be developed and qualified. Other EPS components are also developed, such as valves based on Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technologies. Electric Propulsion Systems are taking a major role in Rafael programs and R&D activities. As such, they are supported by intensive activities for tailoring a suitable EP system to a variety of missions and programs. The goal is to meet the demands of commercial satellites at LEO missions and utilize newly developed technologies for Low- Thrust HETs that are required for operational flexibility. All this will be achieved by using All-In-One concept, of propulsion systems assembled on the same Base-Plate or LRU (Line Replacement Unit) to be incorporated as a self-sustained module to the satellite. This approach can dramatically shorten the Satellite design phases and can be used as cost saving driver for the propulsion and AOCS systems.