UZAY
Electrical Thruster Development and Test Facility
The Electric Propulsion Engine Development and Test Infrastructure, also known as HALL effect thrusters, is a type of electric propulsion system developed by TÜBİTAK UZAY. These systems accelerate ionized gases (plasma) using electric and magnetic fields, thus providing thrust to spacecraft. Thanks to their high efficiency and long lifetime, the Electric Propulsion Engine Development and Test Infrastructure is especially preferred for satellite and deep space missions. This advanced technology developed by TÜBİTAK UZAY plays an important role in Türkiye's space activities.
Equipment Detail Information
Infrastructure Capabilities of the Laboratory
- ISO 14644 Class7 class clean room
- Vacuum chambers (with thrust and tail gas measurement capabilities) for functional testing of Hall Effect Propulsion Engines up to 2.5 kW
Ø2.350 x 4.500 mm internal size, 2×10-7 torr vacuum
Ø1.500 x 1.200 mm internal size, 1×10-6 torr vacuum
Ø600 x 1.100 mm internal size, 5×10-8 torr vacuum - Helium leak detection of propulsion system and piping
- Up to 250 bar pressure resistance test of propulsion system pipelines
- Xenon gas refueling (up to 200 bar pressure)
- Hot-cold start tests of the engine at temperatures between -150 to +125 degrees with the Thermal Shroud System in the large vacuum chamber (from the beginning of 2025)
- Automatic execution of life and start-stop tests of electric propulsion engines with the Autonomous Test System
Subsystems of Electric Propulsion Systems
- 1.5 kW Hall Effect Thrust Motor
- 300 W Hall Effect Thrust Motor
- Gas Feeding Unit
- 1.5 kW Power Processing and Control Unit
- 300 W Power Processing and Control Unit
- Propellant Tank
