PPU for a small, low power and low cost EPS

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the design of the Power Processing Unit (PPU) of the Microsatellite Electric Propulsion System (MEPS) program currently being developed at Elegant Bread Board (EBB). High efficiency, small size and weight and high reliability are the main parameters that special focus is given. The propulsion system of MEPS consists of two small size and low power (up to 300W) Thruster Units (TUs) each one composed of a Hall Effect Thruster and a Cathode, a single Propellant Management and Tank Assembly (PMA/PTA) and a single PPU. The PPU designed for the EBB phase has no redundancy, is fully flexible and capable of driving two different TU types (Rafael’s CAM-200 coupled with Rafael’s Heaterless Hollow Cathode (RHHC) and SITAEL’s HT100 coupled with SITAEL’s Heated Hollow Cathode (HC1)). This paper illustrates the core design requirements and important aspects on which the design was based. Preliminary results obtained from the coupling tests on the critical parts developed at Bread Board (BB), which contributed to the current design are also briefly depicted. Last but not least, the future development steps of the program that can become the driving factor for the successful implementation of an easily adjustable PPU compatible with a wide range of low power Electric Propulsion Systems (EPSs) are demonstrated.