Test results for a high-voltage multi-junction-cell concentrator array direct-driving an electric thruster

Auburn University is working in conjunction with Entech Solar, Inc. to perform a “direct drive” experiment using a high-voltage (600 Voc) Entech Solar SunLine concentrator array that has multijunction solar cells coupled to a Russian T-100 Hall Effect Thruster (HET). This may well be the first time a Hall thruster has been run directly from III-V-based multi-junction solar cells and at this high voltage. This paper will discuss the set-up and testing results. Testing will include the addition of SLA hardware in a vacuum chamber to measure plume impingement effects at various positions relative to the exhaust axis of the thruster.