Gadget-in-Extremis: World’s most powerful electric propulsion thruster

The Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) of Gateway – which is planned as NASA’s orbiting outpost around the Moon, and critical infrastructure for its Artemis mission – is in the middle of several electric propulsion system tests.

Nasa is highlighting the progress of the system, which is being manufactured by Maxar Technologies. Not only will it provide the Gateway platform with propulsion capabilities for transit between different orbits, it will provide power and a high-rate communications system.

Electric propulsion

This 12-kilowatt Hall thruster is the most powerful electric propulsion thruster in production, says the agency. And three such 12kW Hall thrusters thrusters will be part of the full PPE along with similar, smaller thrusters. The blue hue is a steady stream of ionized xenon gas that is ejected to produce a highly efficient thrust.

Nasa writes:

“The PPE will be combined with the Habitation and Logistic Outpost (HALO) before the integrated spacecraft’s launch. Together, these elements will serve as the hub for early Gateway crewed operations and various science and technology demonstrations as the full Gateway station is assembled around it in the coming years.”

“In this image, PPE engineers successfully tested the integration of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s thruster with Maxar’s power procession unit and Xenon Flow Controller.”

PPE

The technology used by the PPE builds on technology advancements from past successful electric propulsion missions like Psyche and DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), says Nasa.

Pictured above, two engineers in cleanroom suits work on the Power and Propulsion Element at Maxar Space Systems in Palo Alto, California. Meanwhile, pictured below, is an artist’s impression of Gateway in its initial configuration, featuring the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) connected to the Power and Propulsion Element.