A 10 nN resolution thrust-stand for micro-propulsion devices

A 10 nN resolution thrust-stand for micro-propulsion devices.

We report on the development of a nano-Newton thrust-stand that can measure up to 100 μN thrust from different types of microthrusters with 10 nN resolution. The compact thrust-stand measures the impingement force of the particles emitted from a microthruster onto a suspended plate of size 45 mm × 45 mm and with a natural frequency over 50 Hz. Using a homodyne (lock-in) readout provides strong ...

An Electrostatic Ion-guide and a High-resolution Thrust-stand for Characterization of Micro-propulsion Devices

Thrust stand for vertically oriented electric propulsion performance evaluation.

A variation of a hanging pendulum thrust stand capable of measuring the performance of an electric thruster operating in the vertical orientation is presented. The vertical orientation of the thruster dictates that the thruster must be horizontally offset from the pendulum pivot arm, necessitating the use of a counterweight system to provide a neutrally stable system. Motion of the pendulum arm...

Performance Measurements Using a Sub-Micronewton Resolution Thrust Stand

A sub-micronewton level thrust stand is used to evaluate the performance of five different microthrusters. Using a torsional balance design, the JPL microthrust stand (μTS) is capable of measuring steady-state thrust as low as 1 μN with sub-micronewton resolution and an impulse as low as 1 μNs with sub-micronewton-second resolution. The μTS can support a test object with a mass as large as 10 k...

Design and characterization of a nano-Newton resolution thrust stand.

The paper describes the design, calibration, and characterization of a thrust stand capable of nano-Newton resolution. A low uncertainty calibration method is proposed and demonstrated. A passive eddy current based damper, which is non-contact and vacuum compatible, is employed. Signal analysis techniques are used to perform noise characterization, and potential sources are identified. Calibrat...