Sat, Jul 08, 2017
First Unit To Be Delivered In 2018 For 2019 Launch
Safran Aircraft Engines has been selected by Boeing to provide an electric propulsion subsystem to support orbit-raising on a commercial satellite program.
Boeing is a pioneer in the use of electric propulsion systems on satellites. This order for PPS5000 thrusters marks Boeing's first use of Hall Effect thrusters for special missions/applications.
Safran Aircraft Engines will supply the PPS5000, along with the power processing unit (PPU), and will take technical responsibility for the interfaces. "We are honored to start a great collaboration with a key actor of the commercial satellites industry, said Didier Desnoyer, Vice President of Safran Aircraft Engines' Military Engines and Space Electric Propulsion division. "It also reflects our customers' confidence in our capability to introduce into the market a new generation of world-class plasma thrusters".
This order represents two world firsts:
- The first use of a cluster of three plasma thrusters (Hall Effect), operating simultaneously, to perform orbital transfer duties.
- The first deployment of a plasma thruster developing 5 kW of power – 10% more than current models used on telecommunications satellites.
The first PPS 5000 will be delivered in 2018 for a satellite launch planned in 2019.
The order announced today is the division's second contract from a U.S.-based company. Rated at 5 kW of power, the PPS5000 is being developed within the scope of the All-Electric Satellite plan, part of the New French Industry program, in collaboration with the French space agency CNES.
(Image provided with Safran news release)
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]