Low Bank Energy APPT for Micro Satellites

Paper presents the estimation of low bank energy APPT for micro satellite applications. These APPTs are the side-fed propellant models and have rail electrodes. Low discharge energy and high frequency of operation will allow expanding APPT applications variety to smaller mass SC. Evaluation of applications is made on the base of APPT models studied in RIAME within last year. These cover (2- 10) J bank energy range and work with operation frequency up to 20 s -1 . Developed laboratory thruster models have thrust efficiency at the level of 3% and maximal thrust near 1mN. Main characteristics of these APPT are presented. Application of such APPTs for LEO orbits from 400 km to 800 km and for satellites with mass 20-100 kg is considered.