Abstract:
Electric propulsion is now successfully used in GEO satellite.Combined with this success is the continuing trend for geosynchronous spacecraft toward orbit raising.And orbit raising using electric propulsion has been shown to be advantageous in terms of more payload mass and less cost.However,the planners have to face the longer transit time associated with this application,and even more,the potential lengthy subjection of Van Allen belt radiation.From the economic view,the planners must pay more for ground station operation and insurance,and surfer the interest lost on money paid at launch but not recovered until delivery to geosynchronous orbit.An analysis has been performed to determine the costeffectiveness ratio of orbit raising using electric propulsion in this paper.