Experiments with multi-material propellants in ablation-FED pulsed plasma thrusters

摘要

The pulsed plasma microthruster (PPT), which has been successfully employed for spacecraft control for over two decades, has traditionally used ablation of a solid, oblong block of Teflon as its propellant source. Recent interest in achieving higher performance from such thrusters has led to re-examination of options for propellant materials, arrangements and operating conditions.