Direct thrust measurements of an electron cyclotron resonance plasma thruster are performed with a thrust balance. The thruster performances are deduced, and the influence of power and mass-flow rate is studied. The measured thrust is around 1 mN for 50 W of microwave power input and of xenon, corresponding to 1000 s of specific impulse and 11% of total efficiency. It is found that the thrust is increased by 25% when the walls of the plasma source are covered with a dielectric layer. Comparisons are made between the direct thrust measurements and the indirect thrust measurements obtained with electrostatic probes in the plasma beam.
Direct Thrust Measurement of an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Plasma Thruster
Journal of Propulsion and Power ; 34 , 5 ; 1323-1333
2018-07-16
11 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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