Magnetic Powder as Propellant in Electrostatic Thrusters (MPEP)
Programme
Discovery
Programme Reference
S 2020-02-a
Contractor
FOTEC GmbH
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
Austria
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Description
The main objectives of this project were to develop a thruster prototype based on magnetic powder electrostatic propulsion and to test it in vacuum with direct thrust measurements. The aim was to check the robustness of the concept and to measure and calculate important performance parameters such as thrust and specific impulse, to allow a comparison with other thruster technologies. This project demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of electrostatic propulsion based on powder emission. After selecting the most promising magnetic powders, the thruster prototype was designed, manufactured and tested.
Technology Domain
7 - Electromagnetic Technologies and Techniques
24 - Materials and Manufacturing Processes
19 - Propulsion
Competence Domain
7-Propulsion, Space Transportation and Re-entry Vehicles
Keywords
electric propulsion
electrostatic thruster
magnetic powder
Executive summary
Final presentation