Flight Projects
Current and past flight projects supported by the Electric Propulsion Group include several notable firsts:
Psyche
Launch: October 13, 2023
NASA’s Psyche mission will use Hall thrusters to visit the asteroid belt and survey the metal-rich asteroid Psyche.
Power and Propulsion Element (PPE)
Expected launch: Nov 2026
PPE will use a 60-kW solar electric propulsion system for attitude control, maneuvering, and orbital transfer capabilities for NASA’s Gateway, the first space station in lunar orbit.
Learn more about Gateway
Dawn
Launch: Sept. 27, 2007
NASA's first operational science mission to use xenon ion propulsion.
2015 Colllier Trophy winner (press release) “In recognition of the extraordinary achievements of orbiting and exploring protoplanet Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres, and advancing the nation’s technological capabilities in pioneering new frontiers in space travel.”
Space Technology 7 (ST7)
Launch: Dec 3, 2015
First demonstration of electrospray thrusters in space (Jan 10, 2016).
Deep Space 1
Launch: Oct. 24, 1998. Retired: Dec. 18, 2001
Technology mission that first demonstrated xenon ion propulsion in deep-space.
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