SITAEL HT100 successfully coupled with AST µFCU

SITAEL HT100-HC1 thruster unit firing in vacuum.

AST µFCU mounted in SITAEL Micropropulsion Laboratory. Image Courtesy of AST GmbH.
Last month another milestone has been reached in the development of SITAEL’s low power Hall Effect Thruster system. The HT100 – HC1 thruster unit has been successfully operated with the AST GmbH micro Flow Control Unit (µFCU); a solid basis for a completely European, ITAR-free electric propulsion system for the Italian Company and a “first time with an HET” for the German FCU.
HT100 Hall effect thruster has a nominal power of 175 W, can operate efficiently in a power range between 100 W and 300 W, and demonstrated a lifetime in excess of 2200 hours. The cathode, HC1, has been designed as a perfect match for this thruster, works at a nominal current of 0.7 A and has an integrated heater to ease the start-up phase.
SITAEL and AST will continue their collaboration in the electric propulsion field, at commercial and research and development level.