Research and Development of a New Power Processing Control Unit of Ion Engine System for the Super Low Altitude Test Satellite

Abstract

JAXA has researched the Super Low Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS), which orbits the Earth at the altitude of nearly 200 km, for use in next-generation Earth observation satellites. An electric propulsion system is very useful to compensate for air drag of the SLATS since it has low thrust and long lifetime. Therefore, based on the Kiku-8 ion engine system, we started research and development of a new ion engine system to apply to the SLATS program. The SLATS ion engine system must be small and light. So, we decided to develop a power processing control unit (PPCU) which combines power supplies and a controller. According to the SLATS requirements, the performance requirements for the PPCU were determined. Then, we manufactured and tested the breadboard model of the high-voltage converter in the PPCU. The test results showed that the power efficiency is over 90 percent, which meets the performance requirements for the PPCU.