Orbital Sciences has selected Aerojet Rocketdyne to provide XR-5 electric propulsion subsystems for GEOStar-3 commercial geostationary orbit communications satellite platform.
The XR-5 subsystem comprises 5kW Hall thrusters, power processing units and associated electrical harnessing.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Planned to be delivered over the next three years, XR-5 features Aerojet Rocketdyne’s zero-erosion design, which provides the capability required to raise the satellite to geostationary orbit.
The GEOStar-3 platform is designed to enable dual-launch configurations, and includes enhancements, including an upgraded electrical power system and a larger bus to support communication payloads weighing up to 800kg. It will have a service life of at least 15 years.
GEOStar satellites will offer various communications services, including direct-to-home TV broadcasting, broadband connectivity, cable program distribution and business data network capacity.
Aerojet Rocketdyne Space Systems vice-president Warren Yasuhara said: "High-power Hall systems provide the optimal solution for electric orbit raising and station-keeping for the next-generation of commercial GEO comsats.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData"The XR-5 Hall system is the only flight-proven, high-power Hall system, and the only Hall system qualified for the long-duration life needed for electric orbit-raising missions."
According to Aerojet Rocketdyne, XR-5 Hall thrusters were installed on 12 GEO comsat satellites, and an additional 12 are currently in production.
Orbital’s contract expands the XR-5 into the commercial GEO comsat segment, and comes after Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space selected the system for the European Space Agency’s Neosat mission.
Image: Orbital’s medium-class GEOStar-3 commercial communications satellite will have up to 8kW of payload power. Photo: courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation / Business Wire.
