Hall Effect Thruster Systems
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For over 12 years, Busek has been developing the next generation of high performance electric propulsion systems. Our family of U.S.-designed Hall Effect thruster span the power spectrum from 200 W to 20 kW and produce 5 mN to 1 N of thrust with specific impulse values varying between 1,000 and 3,000 seconds. Our designs embody patent features, combined with precise control of the magnetic field distribution and a short acceleration zone that result in thrusters with high propulsive efficiency and high total impulse.
As part of Busek’s electric propulsion capability, the company offers its customers complete and fully integrated propulsion systems that include the Hall Effect thrusters, cathodes, power processing and control units, and propellant management components.
Low Power Nominal Specifications
Download the Low Power Nominal Specifications (11.4 MB PDF).
BHT-200
Discharge Input Power: 200 W
Discharge Voltage: 250 V
Discharge Current: 800 mA
Propellant Mass Flowrate: 0.94 mg/sec
Thrust: 12.8 mN
Specific Impulse: 1390 sec
Propulsive Efficiency: 43.5 %
Performance and total impulse of the BHT-200 has been verified at the Air Force Research Laboratory as part of the first successful Phase II IHPRPT goal demonstration for space propulsion. The BHT-200 system is fully qualified for satellite applications.
BHT-200
BHT-600
Discharge Input Power: 600 W
Discharge Voltage: 300 V
Discharge Current: 2.05 A
Propellant Mass Flowrate: 2.6 mg/sec
Thrust: 39.1 mN
Specific Impulse: 1530 sec
Propulsive Efficiency: 49.0 %
The BHT-600 Hall Effect Thruster is an ideal size for primary propulsion for small satellites. The BHT-600 operates efficiently over a power range of 300 to 600 W and produce 15-44 mN of thrust with a specific impulse of 1100-1700 seconds.
BHT-600
BHT-1000
Discharge Input Power: 1000 W
Discharge Voltage: 350 V
Discharge Current: 2.85 A
Propellant Mass Flowrate: 3.4 mg/sec
Thrust: 58.5 mN
Specific Impulse: 1750 sec
Propulsive Efficiency: 50.3 %
While optimized for operating at 1.0 kW, the BHT-1000 Hall Effect Thruster employs refined magnetics allowing operation over a specific impulse range of 1200-2800 seconds.
BHT-1000
High Power Nominal Specifications
Download the High Power Nominal Specifications (10.7 MB PDF).
BHT-1500
Discharge Input Power: 1700 W
Discharge Voltage: 340 V
Discharge Current: 5.0 A
Propellant Mass Flowrate: 5.6 mg/sec
Thrust: 102 mN
Specific Impulse: 1820 sec
Propulsive Efficiency: 54.6 %
While optimized for lifetime at 1.7 kW input power, the BHT-1500 Hall Effect thruster is designed for operation over a 1.5-3.4 kW operating range. The BHT-1500 can also be configured to operate in a dual mode; high thrust for orbit maneuvers or high specific impulse for station keeping. The BHT-1500 produces 50-250 mN of thrust over a specific impulse range of 1100-2800 seconds.
BHT-1500
BHT-8000
Discharge Input Power: 8 kW
Discharge Voltage: 300 V
Discharge Current: 26.7 A
Propellant Mass Flowrate: 27.4 mg/sec
Thrust: 512 mN
Specific Impulse: 1900 sec
Propulsive Efficiency: 60.0 %
The BHT-8000 is an ideal size for orbit insertion and transfer of large satellite assets. The BHT-8000 employs unique magnetic features to optimize the specific impulse over a broad range and maximize thrust to power. The BHT-8000 can operate efficiently over specific impulse ranges from 1150 to 3000 seconds while delivering a maximum of 0.08 N/kW thrust to power ratio.
BHT-8000
BHT-20K
Discharge Input Power: 20.25 kW
Discharge Voltage: 500 V
Discharge Current: 40.5 A
Propellant Mass Flowrate: 40.0 mg/sec
Thrust: 1.08 N
Specific Impulse: 2750 sec
Propulsive Efficiency: 72 %
The largest Hall Effect thruster in the family is the BHT-20K, a nominal 20 kW input power thruster. Under development by Air Force sponsorship, the BHT-20K is designed to produce 1.0 N of thrust at 2750 seconds specific impulse and 70% efficiency.
BHT-20K
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