Overview and research status of the JAXA 150-mN ion engine

The research and development of the JAXA 150-mN ion engine are in progress. The objective of this activity is to establish the ion propulsion technology for future applications, which require high thrust levels, such as orbit raising and deep space exploration. Current efforts are directed to improvement in endurance of the thruster, power conditioner development, and test facility improvement because sufficiently high thruster performance has already been achieved. An endurance test of a main hollow cathode is being conducted. Back sputtering characteristics of a test facility were improved for a coming thruster endurance test. Wide range operation of the thruster, neutralizer characterization tests, and basic study on power processing units were also conducted.