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Direct thrust measurement and plume optical analysis of micro-thrusters

Objetivo

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.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

Palabras clave

Tema(s)

Convocatoria de propuestas

FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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Régimen de financiación

EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships

Coordinador

OFFICE NATIONAL D'ETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES AEROSPATIALES
Aportación de la UE
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Coste total
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