Overview of Russian EP Activities

Abstract

This overview prepared by the group of leading Russian experts in the research, development and application of electric propulsion represents a summary of the efforts made in Russia under the Federal space program and international projects within last 1-2 years. A new geosat Express# 4 manufactured by NPO PM has joined a family of the SPTpropelled spacecrafts and now is in operational use. The T-120 Hall thruster produced by KeRC has passed through flight verification onboard this satellite. Several Russian enterprises develop the small spacecraft to be propelled by elt-ltric thrusters of Hall or PPT typ. There is a brmd spcrtrum of new Hall thruWrs revarch and dcvelnpmcnt in Russia. The efforts were made by DB Fakel, RIAME MA1 and MEREA to evaluate the SPT operated on alternate propellants such as Xe-Kr mixture and Kr. Significant steps have been made in further investigation of working parameters of SPTs and TALs operated under increased discharge voltages directed toward the development of viable high-lsp propulsion. Preliminary study of the 3-TAL engine cluster performances has been completed at TsNIIMASH. Further characterization of the Hall thruster plumes in RIAME MAI, MA1 and TSNIIMASH enabled the adjustment of existing plume models and their comparison with experimental results obtained in ground and flirht conditions. Thr development of computer codes enabling the thruster lifetime prediction along with experimental verification of accelerated wear test methodologies is in focus of MA1 and TSNllMASH research group activity. Earlier demonstrated possibility of the Hall thruster erosion rate evaluation through analysis its optical emissions has been confirmed in the recent TAL tests and provided excellent coincidence with direct wear measurements. A few electric propulsion facilities are now under reconstruction in Russia being prepared for complex tests of different electric thrusters and plume interaction issues study.