Asia Pacific Satellite Inc begins development of spacecraft propulsion system

- Started development of electric thrusters and power supply devices to be used for lunar landers, asteroid return ships, and next-generation geostationary orbit satellites

Asia Pacific Satellite Inc will develop an electric thruster that generates more than 200mN thrust and a 5kW power supply for high voltage output to operate a 3-ton geostationary satellite in transition orbit.

Asia Pacific Satellite Inc announced on the 23rd that it was selected for the R&D project of the ‘200mN-class high-thrust electric system’ among the Space Pioneer project of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Asia Pacific Satellite Inc is the general research institute, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) participate as the main research institute for the detailed project.

Asia Pacific Satellite Inc is a high-thrust/high-reliability electric propulsion technology that can reduce the weight of the satellite body, increase the payload capacity, and reduce launch costs. want to secure In particular, this research and development is a technology that needs to be developed before the next-generation geostationary orbit satellite development (2029), lunar lander (2030), and asteroid sample return ship (2035), which will be carried out in accordance with the 3rd Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion.

According to the 3rd Space Development Promotion Plan, the government has announced that it aims to expand Korea's space launch vehicle technology from launching 1.5-ton low-orbit satellites to 3-ton geostationary orbiting satellites. In addition, as deep space exploration is scheduled as a follow-up project to the lunar probe scheduled to be launched in 2022, electric thrust technology capable of high propulsion is required.

The electric propulsion method developed by Asia Pacific Satellite Inc can reduce the total weight and volume of the satellite, thereby reducing the launch cost and increasing the weight and number of payloads. It is possible to reduce the cost by 25-50%, which is expected to contribute to revitalizing not only small satellites but also medium and large satellite projects.

A company official said, “At a time when competition for satellite technology development between 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 acceptance of the next domestic geostationary satellite business and space exploration business.” said.

Source: <AP satellite, spacecraft propulsion system development started… Scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026 (edaily.co.kr)>