Electric Propulsion Thruster Assembly for Future Small Geostationary Comsats

A leader in Plasma Propulsion Systems, Snecma has developed a broad range of associated products and services, including Thruster Module Assemblies and the Smart-1 lunar probe Electric Propulsion Subsystem. Four flight units of the 1.5-kW PPS1350-G stationary plasma thruster are also nearing completion for Alphasat. New applications of the recurring hardware can now be considered. One such application would be to cover NorthSouth and East-West station-keeping maneuvers, momentum wheels off-loading as well as orbital maneuvers on board future, small geostationary communications satellites. This paper describes the application of the existing, flight proven electric propulsion hardware to this new class of missions.

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