Rapid Satellite Propulsion System Acceptance Testing for USAF Missions

On January 11, 2007 China conducted its first anti-satellite missile test, deliberately destroying another Chinese satellite.  It demonstrated the vulnerability of US satellites to enemy combatants.  Critical satellites could be destroyed, reducing US military coverage until the satellite is replaced.  It can take more than 2 years to build, launch, and replace a non-operational satellite.  High delta-V (or highly mobile) satellites would reduce the replacement time to as little as weeks: satellites in one orbit could be moved to another.  Low delta-V capacity hinders DoD programs such as the LEO missile warning layer, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) layer, and LEO communications.   Electric propulsion can solve this problem by providing high delta-V capacity to small satellites.  Commercial satellite manufacturers recognize these benefits: over 500 commercial small satellites use electric propulsion.  The first US commercial satellite to use electric propulsion launched in 2004; since then only 2 AFRL technology demonstration missions have used electric propulsion on small satellites.  The US military has found it difficult to integrate and test electric propulsion. Apollo Fusion's ACE Max electric propulsion system is an engine for satellites.  ACE Max allows every satellite to be a highly mobile satellite, by providing high delta-V capability at low cost with fast and easy integration into customer satellites.  ACE Max is a complete propulsion system including a Hall thruster, PPU, robust software, a space-heritage tank, and a propellant feed system.  Satellites with ACE Max are 10 times more mobile than typical Air Force satellites.  Numerous USAF missions are delayed because of the time it takes to complete Acceptance Testing (continuity, isolation, vibe, performance, TVAC, thermal cycles, etc.) of the propulsion system.  Apollo has developed a process for more quickly completing this testing on a satellite panel that has the prop system already integrated.  The system is delivered to satellite manufacturers fully assembled and acceptance tested by Apollo Fusion, with no further testing required by the satellite integrator.  This unique approach reduces the time and cost to integrate our electric propulsion system by approximately 75% compared to traditional approaches.