Objective
This research deals with the direct thrust measurement and plume optical analysis of electric micro-thrusters for space, including Field Effect Electric Propulsion (FEEP) thrusters and cold gas thrusters. Electric propulsion offers a number of attractive operational benefits, including precision of thrust modulation at micro-newton levels. This feature is required by a number of missions planned for the next decade: MICROSCOPE, LISA Pathfinder, LISA and Darwin. In this segment, FEEP thrusters and cold gas thrusters seem to be the most promising technologies. Nevertheless, the thrust performance of these thrusters has not yet been proved to satisfy the requirements of the mentioned missions.
In order to improve the knowledge about the performance of micro-thrusters, an intensive ground experimental activity is required. The extreme interest in this field of research is confirmed by the fact that the European Space Agency listed plasma physics and electro-optics analyses for field emission electric propulsion i n the research areas of most interest. The proposed research clearly addresses this topic and extends it with the direct thrust measurements. The direct thrust measurement will be carried out by using the micro-thrust balance owned by the host institution. Several improvements, including example noise reduction and servo control system implementation, will be realized in order to achieve sub-micronewton resolution levels. Emission spectroscopy using a high-sensitivity, CCD-fitted spectrometer will be used to analyse the FEEP plume, and assessment of LIF diagnostics for plume analysis will be undertaken.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy observational astronomy gravitational waves
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy emission spectroscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
CHATILLON
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.