In order to achieve the objectives declared, multiple activities have been peformed, including experimental test campaigns, data analysis, theoretical analysis, and design of the thruster configuration.
At first, all the activities necessary to perform magnetic reconnection (MR) tests on the MaRe-HCT simulator, grouped into three broad parts, have been performed:
1. Manufacture the thruster simulator, design and constructing the required intrusive probes, and setup non-intrusive diagnostics such as OES.
2. Intrusive diagnostics measurements collected from the simulator: steady-state and time variable plasma parameters to evaluate the electrostatic and magnetic properties.
3. Non-intrusive diagnostic test.
Then, all the data collected during the experimental campaigns have been analyzed. Standard data analysis techniques are adopted for the Hall probe, and foreseen for the upcoming test with the emissive probes. Advanced data analysis including POD, wavelet transformation, Bayesian data fusion, were implemented to study the high-speed camera videos. In addition, advanced techniques were adopted to investigate in parallel previous data obtained with Langmuir probes and RPA, all to extend these techniques to the MR thruster test campaigns.
The next step included a theoretical investigation of the thruster. Different approaches have been evaluated, with the aim of reducing the complexity of the analysis. Specifically, reduced order (0D scaling, 1D) models of the magnetic reconnection thruster were considered to obtain the thruster parameters such as thrust and specific impulse.
A 0D model, based on the MHD equations and on the characteristics of the new MR thruster model has been developed, with which it was possible to predict the specific impulse of the thruster.
Finally, the engineering proof-of-concept has been designed.
