Development of a mili-Newton level thrust stand for thrust measurements of electric propulsion systems

Abstract

Electric propulsion systems operate with high efficiency, however they generate low thrust. Therefore pendulum based sensitive measurement systems are used for thrust measurements of electric propulsion systems. In this study, a thrust stand is developed and built for the thrust measurements of electric thrusters. The thrust stand that is developed is based on inverted pendulum configuration, and can measure thrust forces at mili-Newton levels with a resolution of ∼100 micro-Newton levels. Measurement range can be changed according to the thruster, by adjusting the components of the thrust stand.