[amsat-bb] The Goce Satellite Ion Engine

[Bill Ress]

Following up on David's (G0MRF) post about the ion engine, the ESA Goce 
satellite mission, due to launch next week, uses a nifty ion engine 
which you can see at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7935621.stm

I believe these engines will soon become "practical" for use in 
satellite orbital modification. David presented a fine paper at the 2008 
AMSAT Symposium in Atlanta showing how it would be possible to launch 
(relatively inexpensively) to LEO and then over time, using small thrust 
engines, modify the orbit to MEO. He also shows how the MEO orbit could 
provide a significant portion of a HEO's orbit visibility time.

Possibly a reduced cost way to achieve extended satellite visibility at 
a price tag much less than the $8 to $10 million dollar GTO launch cost.

If any of our members/readers have leads/contacts with folks doing ion 
engine development work that might be looking for a satellite test 
vehicle, please contact me off list.

Regards...Bill - N6GHz`