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Electric propulsion for communications satellitesElectric propulsion systems derive their low overall mass, relative to chemical propulsion systems, from an optimized mix of independently controlled power and mass flow rate. A significant reduction in mass can be secured by substituting electric propulsion for conventional hydrazine systems for all the major propulsion tasks of a communications satellite. Additional advantages for all electric propulsion maneuvers are precision location and higher pointing accuracy. Three auxiliary electric propulsion systems are now available for application on communications satellites: the electrically augmented hydrazine system, the Teflon pulsed plasma system, and the mercury ion thruster system. Primary electric propulsion will be available in the mid to late 1980s as a spin-off of NASA's program of interplanetary exploration.
Document ID
19780049059
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Free, B. A.
(COMSAT Laboratories Clarksburg, Md., United States)
Guman, W. J.
(Fairchild Republic Co. Farmingdale, N.Y., United States)
Herron, B. G.
(Hughes Aircraft Co. Malibu, Calif., United States)
Zafran, S.
(TRW Systems Redondo Beach, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1978
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 78-537
Meeting Information
Meeting: Communications Satellite Systems Conference
Location: San Diego, CA
Start Date: April 24, 1978
End Date: April 27, 1978
Accession Number
78A32968
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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