First Year of Psyche Electric Propulsion Cruise Operations

Ahstract-A review of operations and performance for the electric propulsion (EP) system on the Psyche spacecraft during the first year of the mission is presented. After a successful initial checkout phase, the EP system has been in near continuous operation since late March 2024, the beginning of a roughly six year long Cruise phase. Usage statistics to date on all four thrusters and both power processing units (PPUs) are presented. Notable trends in electrical and thermal performance of the thrusters, feed system, and PPUs are discussed along with unexpected observations and risk mitigation activities. The propellant gauging method is reviewed and a to-date trending of xenon mass with uncertainty is presented. Improvements to the spacecraft momentum management strategy made since launch are detailed alongside measured total torque on the spacecraft during thrusting. The new thruster switching plan for the rest of the six year Cruise and an operations-centric propellant budgeting strategy are presented for the first time here.