Expanded Throttling Capabilities of the NEXT Thruster

Performance data obtained at The Aerospace Corporation for the NEXT Prototype Model Thruster operating at high thrust-to-power conditions were documented. Some of these conditions represent a natural extension to the existing NEXT throttle table and may be advantageous for NASA science mission applications. Other higher thrust conditions may have broader mission applicability. All throttle conditions are compatible with the existing NEXT thruster and associated NEXT subsystems, without modification.