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Bus Subsystems

Propulsion devices "Ion Engine"

An ion engine is a propulsion unit (engine) for satellites that generates thrust power through the high-speed acceleration of an ionized propellant.

Its extremely high propellant efficiency for producing the same amount of thrust compared to other types of engines makes this technology ideally suited as the propulsion system for geostationary satellites and deep space probes, which are required to operate over very long periods.

Based on the flight experience of the µ10 ion engines on the Hayabusa, NEC will perform further changes for commoditization purposes as well as performance improvements.

Flight demonstration in Hayabusa program developped through joint development by NEC and JAXA
Features: Plasma generation through electrodeless discharge using microwave (patented in Japan, the U.S., and Europe)
Advantages over existing ion engines
- Long life (potentially twice as long)
- High reliability (result of simpler structure and operation)
- Maintenance free (No purging required during storage prior to launch)
- Easy operation (No preheating required prior to engine operation)

Configuration example

Specifications

Flight Statistics		JAXA Asteroid Explorer "Hayabusa"
Launch year		2003
Cumulative operation time		40,000 hours/unit
Life	Operation in space	15,000 hours
Life	Ground testing	20,000 hours
Performance	Thrust	8 mN
	Specific thrust	3200 s
	Power consumption	350 w
	System weight	70 kg (equipped 4 ion engines)
Features		High reliability High specific thrust (= high fuel efficiency) Low power consumption

(as of June 2010)

Ion thruster (ITR) development model for Hayabusa (Source: JAXA)

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