The radio amateur satellite P3-D, weighing 400 kg, will be launched in
to a highly elliptical 16-h orbit in 1996. Its final orbit control wil
t be performed by a 750-W ammonia arcjet system. This work describes t
he arcjet system and its components as well as the qualification and o
peration philosophy. The implications of the satellite, the planned or
bit, and the orbit control strategy for the arcjet propulsion system a
re also explained. The thruster system has passed two lifetime qualifi
cation tests lasting 670 and 1010 cycles with one hour of arcjet opera
tion per cycle, which are briefly discussed.