SBIR/STTR Award attributes
In Phase I, Busek showed the feasibility of an extremely high delta-V small spacecraft concept equipped with a solar electric propulsion (SEP) system. This “agile� spacecraft could be launched as a low cost secondary payload or as a dedicated payload aboard a dedicated small launch vehicle. For primary propulsion, the spacecraft uses high specific impulse Hall Effect thruster (HET). The available change in velocity (�V) may exceed six kilometers per second, allowing unprecedented orbital maneuverability including transfers from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary orbit (GEO) coupled with additional maneuvers in GEO. In Phase II, Busek will begin detailed development of the integrated solar electric propulsion system. Design work will be carried out for the complete system, including thrusters, cathodes, power processing, and a propellant management system. Hardware will be designed, verified, and delivered to the Air Force for integration with a bus of choice.
