Institute of Space and Astronautical Science is developing the microwave discharge ion thruster for the asteroid sample return mission. The 144 hours' continuous operation was demonstrated in order to get the preliminary data for the durability of the thruster system with a three-grid ion optics of a carbon-carbon composite material. The thruster system was controlled and operated by a simple software and a standard computer. The grid system caused frequent discharges, which was extinguished in the first several hours. After the test no changes in the thrust performance and no marks in the discharge chamber were identified.
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