Scheduled for operation in a lunar Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO), the BHT-6000 Hall effect thrusters are part of the electric propulsion subsystem for the Maxar Space Systems-built Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) space vehicle. The vehicle features Maxar Space-built high-power control electronics, four Busek-built BHT-6000 Hall effect thrusters, feed system, and propellant storage. Together with three 12kW engines, the Maxar Space PPE system is 30 percent more powerful than any SEP system previously flown. Busek's thrusters help enable highly efficient electric orbit-raising, station-keeping, and maneuvering for the PPE Gateway."We're thrilled to have taken delivery of Busek's BHT-6000 electric thrusters for the Lunar Gateway Program," said Taylor Winkelmann, Maxar Space Systems' PPE Program Manager. "The SEP systems we evolved for PPE are amongst the highest power flight-qualified systems today, and they represent the state-of-art in their class."
It takes a while to integrate PPE with halo. It will act as one spacecraft, so you are talking about basically building a spacecraft.
The Power and Propulsion Element for Gateway powered on for the first time. Gateway will support missions between lunar orbit and the Moon’s surface.
