Performance improvements of IFM Nano Thruster with highly focused ion beam with a electrostatic lens module

Article Engineering, Aerospace

The Next Generation Gravity Mission and the qualification of the indium-fed mN-FEEP thruster

L. Massotti et al.

Summary: NGGM is a potential mission for ESA-NASA cooperation, aiming to monitor long-term variations in Earth's gravity field to study mass changes due to the water cycle. Developed over the past 15 years, the mission has involved system and technology activities focusing on fine attitude control systems and advanced propulsion technologies.

CEAS SPACE JOURNAL (2022)

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Article Engineering, Aerospace

Simultaneously measured direct and indirect thrust of a FEEP thruster using novel thrust balance and beam diagnostics

Nina Sarah Muehlich et al.

Summary: The measurement of thrust is crucial for characterising an electric propulsion system. In this study, the thrust of an Indium FEEP Multiemitter (IFM) Nano Thruster laboratory model is measured directly using a thrust balance and indirectly using beam diagnostics. The results show that both methods provide consistent measurements within the given operating range.

ACTA ASTRONAUTICA (2022)

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Article Instruments & Instrumentation

High-precision digital Faraday cups for FEEP thrusters

Nina Sarah Muehlich et al.

Summary: This article discusses the increasing demand for precise alignment of spacecraft achieved by electric thrusters in recent years and introduces a plasma diagnostics system based on Faraday cup analysis. By optimizing the geometry and integrating the measuring electronics, this system can achieve high spatial resolution analysis of thrust vector misalignment and improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

JOURNAL OF INSTRUMENTATION (2022)

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Article Physics, Applied

IFM Nano Thruster performance studied by experiments and numerical simulations

Nina Sarah Muehlich et al.

Summary: Field emission electric propulsion thrusters are ideal for precise spacecraft control due to their low thrust range. Properties of the thruster ion beam and interactions with spacecraft components are crucial for precise control. Experimental analysis and ion trajectory simulations are used to optimize thruster geometries for performance, reliability, and longevity.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS (2021)

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Review Engineering, Aerospace