Feasibility of a down-scaled HEMP-Thruster

New satellite missions require increasing precision attitude and orbit control combined with long life time. The HEMP (High Efficiency Multistage Plasma) thruster technology has promising properties in the mN thrust range with respect to system simplicity and erosion. We investigate experimentally the ability of down-scaling the HEMP thruster concept into the μN thrust range. This means building up and testing of thruster hardware as well as verification of simple models. Numerical simulation and optimisation of thruster operation is complementary aspect of the work. We present the relevant design considerations and the test setup. First results of an experimental comparison of two different configurations are presented which differs with respect to ferromagnetism of the housing and shielding of the magnetic field of permanent magnets.