Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space (LMMS) has awarded Primex Aerospace Company a contract for flight development and subsystem integration of Hall Thrusters. Hall Thrusters are an advanced form of high performance electric thrusters intended for use on the LMMS next generation commercial communication satellites.
The Hall Thruster is Primex Aerospace Company’s newest form of electric propulsion to be employed on LMMS spacecraft. More than 100 LMMS spacecraft are currently in orbit using Primex electric propulsion thrusters.
The Hall Thruster technology represents the next generation in advanced satellite propulsion and is expected to play a key role in the development and maintenance of satellite constellations.
Primex Aerospace Company’s development testing, conducted both in-house and at national laboratories, has demonstrated impressive performance and long-life capability.
In 1996, Primex Aerospace Company began a significant in-house effort to develop Hall Thruster systems using unique technology developed exclusively in the United States and, in 1997, licensed Hall Thruster technology from the Busek Co. Both Busek and Primex Aerospace Company have patents pending on the Hall Thruster technology.
Primex Aerospace Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Primex Technologies, Inc. which is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida and is a $500 million defense and aerospace company with approximately 2600 employees and 18 operating facilities and offices in the U.S. The company maintains core business in munitions, propellants, satellite propulsion systems and electronic products.
