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During the last few years, several missions have been proposed that involve FEEP, either for drag-free control or for high accuracy, noiseless pointing. In most cases, FEEP is a mission-enabling technology. FEEP is baselined for the ESA Horizon 2000 Plus LISA and the JPL OMEGA missions, both multi-spacecraft gravitational wave detectors, and for the Italian proposed test of the Equivalence Principle on the Galileo Galilei - GG satellite. The FEEP thruster is also considered for other scientific missions, like the proposed infra-red space interferometers IRSI and Darwin.
 30 µN thrusters cluster (ion beam envelope is to scale) |
On scientific spacecraft, the FEEP thrusters will be grouped in clusters, mounted on the external surface of the spacecraft. A typical cluster includes three to four thrusters, a redundant neutralizer, the control and power electronics, and the protective cover with the relevant release system. A complete propulsion system may include three to four clusters. Each cluster carries its own propellant load, and is therefore completely independent from the others. The cluster interfaces with the spacecraft are the power and data buses and the mounting flange; there is no external tankage, no valve, no propellant distribution system. |
