scope:

Abstract:

Shortly after the successful demonstration of solar electric propulsion (SEP) aboard Deep Space 1 began, the xenon ion engine shut down unexpectedly-- likely due to a "grid short." Although the engine was later restarted using other procedures, immediate use of a "grid clear circuit" was deemed as too risky. Since grid shorts are likely to occur during future missions that use SEP technology, conduct further study of grid clear circuits and provide a pre-planned operational procedure for detecting and clearing critical anomalies, including SEP grid shorts.