Carbon Grid Materials for Ion Engines

1. Carbon Grid Materials for Ion Engines Small Business Innovation Research Energy Science Laboratories, Inc. San Diego, CA INNOVATION New low-cost , longer-life carbon grids for ion engine applications ACCOMPLISHMENTS  Developed a new, lower cost process for precise grid fabrication for ion engines  Added a carbon flock coating to grids that increases sputter resistance and extends operating life by a factor of 5 or more  Flocked carbon grids will make increased thrust levels possible COMMERCIALIZATION  Produce custom products for commercial customers, total sales have reached $3 million Potential future applications include longer life grids for commercial deposition reactors and substrates for electronic components Ion Engines Will Provide Efficient Propulsion for NASA Deep Space Science Missions GOVERNMENT/ SCIENCE APPLICATIONS Ion engine grids for future NASA space missions  Selected to work with Fermi laboratory to provide detector supports for high energy physics particle accelerator at Cern, Switzerland Working with Keck Observatory in Hawaii and Stuart Observatory in Arizona on telescope lining for stray light suppression Jet Propulsion Laboratory 1994 Phase II; NAS7-1400 Success Story # 7-020