Coronal discharge thrusters are quite popular with those from other places. Because they live a long way from here, they found it necessary to establish overhaul shops so that the thrusters could be repaired in the field. One would think that these guys could certainly come up with equipment that would have virtually infinite TBO (time between overhaul). The truth be known, the thrusters actually do have nearly infinite TBO; however, their equivalent of the FAA (like ours) has decided that they should establish TBO limits for powerplants and have set the limits in a very conservative manner. Their FAA does not believe that the trained field technicians can evaluate an engine and determine airworthiness (or spaceworthiness), and neither does ours.
These overhaul shops are scattered about and often cleverly disguised as mundane buildings. This particular facility looks like a row of greenhouses during the day. Thruster static testing in normally conducted in the wee hous of the morning when the discharge glow would not be noticed by the indigenous population. As you can see from this photograph, the thruster is only at idle which is obvious from the orange glow. At full power the thrusters put out a white glow. They are rarely tested at that level; however. At full power the thrusters put out a lot of heat and the local heating anomaly would be detected by NORAD's chain of earth surveilance satellites.
Excellent documentation---visual and written. I think I detect two magnetic bubbles floating over the building (but I hope they are just mirages). It's best to keep this activity secret lest the local populace panics.
