The Solar Propulsion Program at the Air Force Research Laboratory is a multifaceted program that is developing technology for the major subsystems of a solar propulsion system, including lightweight mirrors and solar thermal thrusters. The in-house portion of this program is aimed at demonstrating a solar thermal thruster using the AFRL Solar Laboratory at Edwards AFB. AED provides test system support.

Electric Propulsion Laboratory Support

The Electric Propulsion Laboratory (EPL) is developing electric propulsion technology for use on DoD space satellites. In support of this technology, the AFRL constructed an in-house test facility and recently flight demonstrated an EP system. AED personnel supported in-house testing of arc jet thrusters, provided general technical support, and recently contributed to the success of the ESEX program.

The ESEX space technology demonstration serves as the main satellite propulsion for the DoD's 91-1 ARGOS spacecraft, launched Feb 23 1999 from Vandenberg AFB on a Delta II rocket. ESEX incorporates a 26 kilowatt ammonia arcjet thruster, power conditioning unit, command/control system, propellant feed system, diagnostic package, power source, thermal management system, and flight unit structure developed by TRW under an AFRL contract. Arcjet thrusters provide high specific impulse with low thrust while being very economic with the use and weight of propellants. The technology provides additional capability to satellite builders and operators. In addition to orbital insertion and station-keeping, the system can now provide satellite re-positioning with enormous fuel savings. Data from current spaceflight experiments has demonstrated the propulsion system's capabilities and validated its lack of electronic interference with instrumentation and telemetry.