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

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

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...

Microfabricated electrospray emitter arrays with integrated extractor and accelerator electrodes for the propulsion of small spacecraft

Microfabricated electrospray thrusters could revolutionize the spacecraft industry by providing efficient propulsion capabilities to micro and nano satellites (1–100 kg). We present the modeling, design, fabrication and characterization of a new generation of devices, for the first time integrating in the fabrication process individual accelerator electrodes capable of focusing and accelerating...

FEEP micro-thrust balance characterization and testing

A micro-thrust stand developed by the National Physical Laboratory under ESA funding was calibrated and characterized. The balance is based on the nulled-pendulum principle. The thruster is positioned in a constrained pendulum that is free to move only along the line of thrust. A capacitive displacement sensor measures the movement of the pendulum and is connected via a servo closed loop to a f...

Characterization of a Magnetically Levitated Testbed for Electrospray Propulsion

Small satellites are changing the space scene dramatically. By drastically reducing costs while still having impressive technological capabilities, their popularity among the space community is increasing at a very fast rate. Propulsion systems for these class of spacecraft are very limited. One promising technology is the ion Electrospray Propulsion System (iEPS) developed at the Space Propuls...