Production of satellite with first all-electric propulsion system advances

Electric propulsion has been limited so far to small movements of the satellites once it is in its geostationary orbit. The Boeing 702SP innovation is its use of electric propulsion to raise the satellite from its launch-vehicle drop-off point to geostationary orbit.

Boeing is “running on schedule” as it continues to achieve production milestones for the first of its all-electric-propulsion 702SP (small platform) satellites.

The company says the 702SP will be the world's first all-electric-propulsion satellite when it is launched later this year or early next.