Overview of Electric Propulsion Activities in Russia

Abstract

The paper provides a review of major activities in the Russian industry and research organizations in a field of research, development and application of Electric Propulsion. Leading spacecraft manufacturers in Russia-NPO PM (Krasnoyarsk), Rocket Corporation "Energiya" (Korolev city), Khrunichev Space Center (Moscow), VNIIEM (Moscow) continue successful EP application on GEO and LEO spacecrafts. Design Bureau "Arsenal" (Saint Petersburg) and NPO Mash (Reutov city) plan to use EP on their satellites. Growing EP application generates new requirements to the parameters of the propulsion systems and stimulates development and research activity at EDB "Fakel", RIAME, TsNIIMASH, MIREA, Keldysh Research Center. For Hall thrusters the main directions of these activities are to expand operation range in regard to specific impulse, thrust and power. Several thruster schemes are under evaluation-one stage SPT and TAL, two stages SPT and TAL. For low power propulsion systems PPT and low power Hall systems are under consideration. EP application is supported by permanently improving computer modeling necessary for calculation of different plasma effects accompanying EP operation onboard of a spacecraft (SC). Space experiments on the International Space Station are undergoing in support of verification and improvement of the computer codes and physical models.

Feasibility of All-Electric Three Axis Momentum Management for Deep Space Small Body Rendezvous

“…6 In Russia, the GALS, EXPRESS, and Yamal geostationary spacecraft use a combination of Hall thrusters and xenon cold gas thrusters for all propulsion after separation from the launch vehicle. 7 Together, these operational missions have shown how electric propulsion can carry out each of the various tasks required from an on board propulsion system across the lifetime of a space mission.…”