Iodine-compatible Neutraliser for Electric Propulsion of CubeSats and Small Satellites

To develop of a prototype of an iodine-compatible neutralizer for low Power (<500 W) electric propulsion systems.

Iodine has been recognised as interesting propellant for electric propulsion applications since it allows to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of the propulsion system due to the fact that it is solid at room temperature and sublimates directly to gas at moderate temperatures. While iodine propellant has many advantages, there are also some challenges to overcome due to the fact that iodine is highly reactive. In a previous TRP activity (T719-501MP), an iodine compatible feed system has been developed and successfully coupled with a low power Hall-effect thruster operating with iodine. The cathode was operated with Xenon during this test due to the lack of an iodine compatible neutraliser.There are currently several developments of iodine fed electric propulsion systems ongoing in Europe. Therefore, there is clearly the need for the development of an iodine compatible neutraliser. This neutraliser shall be suitable for a low power electric propulsion system in the sub-kilowatt range (< 500 W) and typical low power EP performance figures (thrust up to 20 mN and Isp up to 4000 s).The activity encompasses the following tasks:- State of the art review identifying iodine compatible neutraliser technologies and compatible materials and requirements definition for an iodine compatible neutraliser.- Design, manufacture and test of a prototype demonstrating suitability of the selected neutraliser technologies.- Perform coupling testing and endurance testing with an existing electric propulsion thruster operating with iodine as well as an iodine compatible feed system.- Identify criticalities and define a roadmap for the development of an engineering model of the iodine-compatible neutralizer.