Development of electric propulsion systems at IRS

Abstract

This paper presents recent developments in the field of electric propulsion for interplanetary missions such as the arcjet system TALOS and the magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters Van-Allen belt and SIMP-LEX. Investigations include measurement of mass bit, plasma current, plasma acceleration time, plasma thrust, and plasma dynamic properties. Thruster optimization includes ground testing, numerical simulations as well as thermal modelling.