By the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has independently developed the five branches of the 2nd electric propulsion system achieved important results: electric propulsion system in the trial has exceeded 6000 hours, switch 3000, with the ability to ensure 15 years of reliable operation of the satellite in orbit. This means that China's electric propulsion system has reached the international advanced level, the project will be fully into the application stage, to meet the development needs of China's telecommunications satellite series platform, high-orbit remote sensing platforms, LEO constellations and deep space probes.
As the core of the car is the same engine, propulsion system is the core of the spacecraft. Used chemical fuel compared with aerospace propulsion hot exhaust gas, electric propulsion technology is the introduction of new ways of charged particles or ions ejected, a substantial reduction in propellant fuel, more accurate, and other advantages.
The electric propulsion system can significantly reduce fuel detectors on satellites and carrying capacity, space-saving under can carry more payload to maximize economic benefits. In our Dongfanghong IV communications satellite platform, for example, with two 1400 liters of chemical fuel tanks on the satellite; if using electric propulsion system can save 80% of the entire star fuel. At the same time the satellite will be "downsizing", a weight of about 4.8 tons of communications satellites weight will be reduced to 1.9 tons. "When humans need to carry out deep-space exploration more distant Mars, asteroids, Milky Way edge, it is impossible to carry large amounts of fuel, electric propulsion system is the inevitable choice."
Electric propulsion systems more precise positioning. Thrust chemical fuel is very large, but in outer space, the satellite is in a microgravity environment, the need microthrust, while smaller thrust electric propulsion system will be able to meet the requirements of precise positioning and control.
Researchers said, is expected by the end of 2015, China's new communications satellite equipped with the electric propulsion system will be on standby to start. As a starting point, the development of the electric propulsion system 510 will be fully applied in China's spacecraft, which will greatly enhance our communications satellite series platforms, deep space exploration spacecraft, satellites, gravity field measurements of overall technological level and performance, further enhance the international competitiveness of China's commercial satellites.