CANCELLED - All Electric Propulsion, an enabling option for Telecom Satellites Seminar

Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to cancel this seminar

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In 2012, Boeing shocked the space community by proposing an all-electric propulsion geostationary communication satellite based on the 702SP bus.  These satellites will be the first satellites launched that will attain and maintain orbit location using electric propulsion and will thus require four to six months following launch to make the satellite ready for its communication mission, but at substantial reduction in launch mass and, therefore, launch cost.

Boeing used a Xenon Ion Propulsion System (XIPS) for this satellite system, designed and constructed by L3 Electron Technologies Ltd.  XIPS is 10 times more efficient than conventional liquid fuel systems.  On an XIPS equipped 702 satellite, four 25 cm thrusters provide economical station-keeping, needing only 5 kg of fuel per year.  Boeing states that this is a "fraction of what bipropellant or arcjet systems consume". Boeing further states that an XIPS can be used for final orbit insertion and has secured firm orders for spacecraft utilizing only ion thrusters.  This conserves even more payload mass compared to using the traditional on-board liquid apogee engine.