Cutting-Edge Thruster Gives Space Program a Lift

The Shijian-17 satellite, loaded with the HEP-100MF thruster, is launched by a Long March 5 rocket in the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan province on Nov. 3. Photo: Xinhua

A unique thruster mounted on a recently launched satellite has given China's space program an edge over international rivals and opened a door to deep-space exploration.

The HEP-100MF thruster, jointly developed by research teams from the Harbin Institute of Technology (H.I.T.) and the China Academy of Space Technology's (CAST) Institute 502, successfully debuted Nov. 22 aboard an orbiting Shijian-17 satellite. The satellite was launched Nov. 3 by a Long March 5 rocket.