mN-FEEP Thruster Module Design and Preliminary Performance Testing

In the scope of ESAs Basic Technology Research Programme (TRP), FOTEC is currently developing the first FEEP thruster capable of operating from several μN to the mN-Range. The core of the new mN-FEEP thruster is a porous tungsten crown emitter, which has 28 emission sites arranged in a circle of 1cm diameter. After optimizing the manufacturing process of the emitters, the latest development is a new thruster module that has been designed to meet the requirements of ESAs Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM). The thruster module has a new electrode concept that includes a focus electrode allowing for a reduced beam divergence. This concept also makes room for a new heating system significantly increasing the heating efficiency of the thruster. The module performance has been investigated by measuring the power consumption of the new module as well as the achieved firing homogeneity using the new focus electrode.