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* Home > Defence  > Solutions for Defence > Space > Electric Propulsion > T5 ion thruster *
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T5 ion thruster

The T5 based ion propulsion system has been selected for the ESA Gravity and steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) mission. It is required to provide near perfect atmospheric drag compensation in the range of 1 to 20 mN.

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T5 thruster (left), and during operation (right)
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QinetiQ T5 thruster (left), and during operation (right)
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The core system comprises the QinetiQ T5 gridded ion engines, Astrium Crisa Ion Propulsion Control Units (IPCU) and Bradford Engineering Proportional Xenon Feed Assembly (PXFA). It offers:

  • Reliable, efficient and robust system configuration
  • Unprecedented thrust range (1 - 20 mN)
  • Ultra precise thrust control (+/- 12 microN)
  • Rapid thrust response rate (> 2.5 mN / s)
  • Total impulse up to 3 x 10E+6 Ns (1.5 x 10E+6 Ns in GOCE conditions)
  • Cycle life > 5500 On/Off cycles
  • Cyclic & continuous operation
  • Modular and adaptable system architecture


The system is optimised for the unique requirements of the GOCE mission but can be readily adapted to a range of other applications, particularly small, robotic interplanetary exploration missions, characterised by equally demanding reliability and efficiency in conjunction with greater autonomy and total impulse.
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> GOCE T5 Based Electric Propulsion System [PDF]
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> Astrium Crisa
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> Bradford Engineering
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