Activity of Russian Space Agency in the field of electric propulsion

Abstract

Current state of work on Electric Propulsion under Russian Space Agency programs is presented here. The main part of investigation on EP takes place at Keldysh Research Center, EDB «Fakel», TsNIIMash, RIAME MAI, MAI and NIIEM. To create thrusters prototypes with high efficiency and lifetime thermal plasma, arcjet, pulsed plasma, Hall and ion thrusters are working out in the range of power from tens watt to 10 kW. In most organisations the main attention is given to Hall thrusters with closed drift of electrons: with long acceleration zone (stationary plasma thrusters - SPT) and with short acceleration zone (thrusters with anode layer - TAL). Basically, the general approach of this work is to widen developed power utilisation range 0,5 - 1,5 kW down to 100 - 500 W and up to 10 kW (in one module). Works on design of Hall thrusters with power rate up to 50 kW are also carrying out.