Description: The integrated NASA/DoD electric propulsion objectives are for a specific mass less than 3 kg/kW while demonstrating a throttlable thrust-to-power ratio of 100:1 at a specific impulse of 1,000 sec down to 40:1 at 4,000 sec with an operational lifetime exceeding 20,000 hours. Modern Hall-effect thrusters (HETs) are a proven technology with flight heritage, established manufacturing readiness and testing channels that nearly meet the desired specifications (as shown in Figure 1). However, the major limitation is that HETs fail to achieve all four of objectives simultaneously. This Phase I feasibility study is focused on a proof-of-concept experiment to alleviate the HET dual-mode operational envelope limitation for both high thrust-to-power and high specific impulse. Starfire Industries believes that a "low hanging fruit" modification to HETs exists, and such an improvement would be evolutionary to enable multi-mission EP systems for NASA's Science Mission Directorate and DoD platforms. Towards this end, Starfire has partnered with Aerojet Corporation to rapidly demonstrate feasibility in Phase I through experimental modification to an existing HET system. If results are confirmed, a Phase II design can be driven to yield immediate upgrades for flight-qualified HET systems for near-term payback.

Benefits: By extension, there are ample non-NASA commercial opportunities in the civilian satellite industry for station-keeping, de-orbit, and orbit boost applications. Plus, there are DoD mission opportunities in the immediate future for near-term funding vehicles to transition from Phase II to Phase III SBIR commercialization. Starfire will gain through licensing and partnership opportunities.

This SBIR addresses the Science Mission Directorate need for spacecraft propulsive hardware with increased performance and flexibility to enable more ambitious missions requiring high duty cycles, more challenging environmental conditions, and extended operation. The successful completion of this SBIR will result in near-term high-payback for NASA's in-space propulsion teams allowing a near-term performance boost on existing HET systems without having to re-qualify the entire hardware systemsaving time, money and ground testing commitments.