Thruster development set-up for the helicon plasma hydrazine combined micro research project

This paper describes the experimental tests done to support the development of an helicon plasma thruster for small satellites. The thruster class is 50 W 1mN. This work is done within the research project Helicon Plasma Hydrazine Combined Micro (HPH.com) in the frame of the 7th Framework Programme of the EU by an European consortium. Experimental tests are foreseen to validate codes, to support thruster design and to verify thruster performances. Three different test bed have been set-up and operated, two laboratory model and an engineering model have been currently built, a final qualification model is under design. Tests have been conducted at CISAS, KhAI, and ONERA. The following paper present the experimental layout and the test conducted in each laboratory.

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