The main objective was to verify that the magnetic pinch effect occurred for a new design of a PPT that uses a geometry resembling a Dense Plasma Focus device. Performance characterization was also a goal. The final size of the unit should be compatible with CubeSats.

CubeSats market is growing, and its pace is foreseen to continue steadily. Propulsion systems, when used, are usually Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPT) that are characterized by low efficiency and low specific impulse. In this activity, a hybrid design of a PPT and a Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) device was de-risked to ensure that higher specific impulses were reachable through the occurrence of the so called ‘magnetic pinch effect’.

Strong evidence was obtained that the pinch effect has occurred (observed by long exposure photographs) on vacuum (10-5 mbar). The erosion pattern on the electrodes constitutes further evidence of such effect. ISP values were, in some pulses, in the order of 1000 s, which is higher than typical PPTs in the market (around 800 s). On the literature, the required energy to obtain the effect is significantly higher (at least 100 J), when compared to the supplied energy in the developed design (<5 J). Effective pulse energy could not be achieved due to two main factors: The full energy intended for the tests could not be achieved due to failure of some of the capacitors. The fact that ablation occurred only in a limited area of the propellant (~20%). A way forward to solve these issues is planned for the next phase.

The main benefits of the PFT product for CubeSats are high specific impulse values, low power consumption and compactnes.

A follow-on activity to design and test an EM of the product was proposed by the end of this project under the GSTP programme. That phase is planned to be completed in less than 2 years. Testing in a relevant environment and qualification of the product follows. Flight Qualification planned to be achieved by 2025. The product is intended for commercial use on CubeSats.