AP Satellite Develops Spacecraft Propulsion System... "Contributing to Space Technology Independence"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] AP Satellite is set to develop an electric thruster generating more than 200mN of thrust and a 5kW-class power supply unit for high-voltage output to operate a 3-ton class geostationary satellite from a transfer orbit.

On the 23rd, AP Satellite announced that it has been selected for the “200mN-class High-Thrust Electric System” research and development project under the Space Pioneer program by the Ministry of Science and ICT. AP Satellite will serve as the lead research institution, with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) participating as principal research institutions for detailed tasks. The project will take a total of 67 months, aiming for completion by the end of 2026.

Through this research and development, AP Satellite aims to secure high-thrust and high-reliability electric propulsion technology that can reduce the satellite bus weight, increase payload capacity, and reduce launch costs by building on the existing 10mN-class electric thrusters for low Earth orbit small satellites. This R&D is essential technology to be developed prior to next-generation geostationary satellite development (2029), lunar lander (2030), and asteroid sample return missions (2035), in accordance with the 3rd Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion.

The government has stated that under the 3rd Space Development Promotion Plan, South Korea aims to expand its space launch vehicle technology from launching 1.5-ton class low Earth orbit satellites to launching 3-ton class geostationary satellites. Additionally, following the lunar probe scheduled for launch in 2022, deep space exploration is planned, requiring electric propulsion technology capable of high thrust. The development of a Hall thruster system with thrust exceeding 200mN is now essential for space exploration.

The electric propulsion system developed by AP Satellite will reduce the overall weight and volume of the satellite bus, thereby lowering launch costs and increasing the weight and number of payloads. On average, compared to chemical propulsion, it can reduce satellite bus weight by about 50% and launch costs by 25?50%. It is expected to contribute not only to small satellite platforms but also to the activation of medium and large satellite projects.

A company representative stated, “At a time when competition in satellite technology development among countries is intensifying, we will develop high-thrust electric propulsion system technology to contribute to the independence of advanced space technology and actively respond to the next domestic geostationary satellite projects and space exploration missions.”