Smart-1: An analysis of flight data

The main purpose of the ESA SMART-1 mission, (Small Mission for Advanced Research and Technology), is to flight-test a new Primary Electric Propulsion sub-System (EPS), a highly efficient and lightweight propulsion sub-System that will eventually be used for long duration deep-space missions, reducing the size and the cost of the propulsion system while increasing maneuvering flexibility and the mass available for scientific instrumentation. Given the high interest of the mission, two Working Groups, the Plasma Working Group and the EP Working Group have been set up by ESA. This paper presents the evolution of the typical parameters in flight of the EPS, according to the first findings of the EP Working Group. The analysis of the flight data is very useful to better understand the performances of the EPS and to monitor its interaction with the S/C and with the space environment.