Helicon Hall Thruster (HHT)

Motivation

The HHT development program seeks to achieve:

• High efficiency operation of a high-thrust, low-specific impulse Hall thruster for in-space propulsion
• Improved spacecraft performance

Approach

• Two-Stage Hall Thruster
  • Helicon Ionization Stage
  • Hall Acceleration Stage
• Smaller channel Width-to-Diameter ratio (W/D) for improved low-ISP operation
• Separated anode and propellant distribution system

Results