Hall Effect Thrusters (HET) are the technology of choice for large GEO telecoms and other medium/high ΔV missions, quickly gaining acceptance for LEO applications as well. Thanks to their high specific impulse and proven reliability, HETs are also employed for space exploration (ESA SMART-1). These thrusters can work with satisfactory efficiencies over a power range from around 100 W up to tens of kW.

HT20k is a high-power Hall Effect Thruster (HET) designed to be operated at a nominal discharge power of 20kW. HT20k offers a favourable combination of performance, reliability, and lifetime for a variety of applications in future space transportation and exploration programs, as well as private commercial space missions. To improve the thruster-cathode coupling, HT20k features an internally mounted hollow cathode, the SITAEL HC60, located inside the inner pole of the magnetic circuit.