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The ASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is developing an advanced sub-kilowatt electric propulsion system for interplanetary navigation, abbreviated as ASTRAEUS, with a goal of a throttling range of 150-1000W and a xenon throughput of 100kg, a peak system efficiency greater than or equal to 50%, and a dry weight of 10 kg or less of thrusters, power handling units, flow controllers and gimbals. In May 2019, 60 Krypton-powered Hall thrusters were launched and put into orbit, marking the beginning of SpaceX's Starlink constellation program. SpaceX has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to launch thousands more.
The ASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is developing an advanced sub-kilowatt electric propulsion system for interplanetary navigation, abbreviated as ASTRAEUS, with a goal of a throttling range of 150-1000W and a xenon throughput of 100kg, a peak system efficiency greater than or equal to 50%, and a dry weight of 10 kg or less of thrusters, power handling units, flow controllers and gimbals. In May 2019, 60 Krypton-powered Hall thrusters were launched and put into orbit, marking the beginning of SpaceX's Starlink constellation program. SpaceX has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to launch thousands more.
