Applications
The primary application for this thruster design is intended for satellite station keeping, long term LEO to GEO orbit transfers and deep space applications. While a typical design could provide a 50 year life span, or a saving of 1000 lb (≈454 kg) of launch weight for large satellites, this type of thruster could also significantly reduce the length of interplanetary space trips. For example, a trip to Mars could be shortened to 3 months instead of the 8 to 9 months with conventional chemical rockets. In the near term, the next target for HDLT application is to maintain station-keeping for a satellite to be launched around 2013 in collaboration with EADS-Astrium .
Read more about this topic: Helicon Double Layer Thruster