ION THRUSTERS Busek’s ion thrusters utilize an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source and eliminates the use of internal cathode (life-limiting factor in DC ion engines). Busek’s thrusters have been designed to use xenon propellant, but are compatible with a wide range of propellant choices, including argon, hydrogen, iodine, nitrogen and helium gas. Key advantages include fast start-up and rapid thrust response to the input RF power. Busek is also currently developing high-efficiency RF power supply to couple with the thrusters.   Busek has developed several prototypes of ion thrusters that offer a wide range of thrusts and specific impulses.
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COMPLETE SYSTEM INPUT POWER*
28 W
460 W
NEUTRALIZER
BRFC-1 RF CATHODE
BHC-1500 HOLLOW CATHODE
ION BEAM CURRENT
2.7 mA
160 mA
THRUSTER PROPELLANT FLOW (Xe)
0.06 sccm
3.0 sccm
THRUST
185 μN
11.0 mN
75 W
BRFC-1 RF CATHODE
16 mA
0.5 sccm
1.15 mN
MODEL
BIT-1
BIT-7
BIT-3
BIT-3 thruster operating on various gases with approximately 50W total power (RF + DC).  External cathode neutralizers shown are fed with xenon gases.
Busek Co. Inc.    |    11 Tech Circle, Natick, MA 01760    |    508-655-5565    |    Home    |    Contact
DATASHEETS
BIT-3
HALL EFFECT THRUSTERS ELECTROSPRAY THRUSTERS ELECTROTHERMAL THRUSTERS ION THRUSTERS PULSED PLASMA THRUSTERS GREEN MONOPROP THRUSTERS CATHODES ABOUT PRODUCTS CAPABILITIES FLIGHT PROGRAMS CUBESAT PROPULSION CONTACT
TOTAL SPECIFIC IMPULSE**
1,600 sec
3,300 sec
2,100 sec
NEUTRALIZER PROPELLANT FLOW (Xe)
0.06 sccm
0.08 sccm
0.5 sccm
*Nominal value, includes neutralizer and estimated Power Processing Unit (PPU) efficiency **Includes neutralizer propellant consumption
ION THRUSTERS