IAC-13-C4.4,4x18278 THE ALTA FT-150 FEEP MICROSTHRUSTER:TEST RESULTS OF THE PRE-QUALIFICATION CAMPAIGN

摘要

The development of the FT-150? FEEP micro-thruster was successfully completed by Alta: endurance testing confirmed that the updated thruster design is capable of performances dramatically improved with respect to previous FEEP configurations, marking a major step forward in the panorama of propulsion technologies available to future space programmes. In preparation of the qualification campaign, planned to be completed by end of 2014, a pre-qualification test campaign at sub-system level was carried out with the aim to verify the long-term coupling between the thrusters and the other subsystem units, as well as with the test set-up. The pre-qualification test campaign consisted, sequentially, in environmental testing (i.e. mechanical and thermal vacuum) followed by functional and life testing. Applied levels for environmental testing were compliant with the LISA Pathfinder reference mission: preliminary visual inspections and functional verifications confirmed that the FT-150? FEEP micro-thruster had passed successfully both vibration and thermal tests. Finally, the FT-150? FEEP thruster assembly was dismounted from its structure and integrated in a dedicated vacuum facility to be subjected to functional and life testing, driven by a flight representative Power Control Unit provided by Selex. The test was definitively switched-off on June 2013, after 4848 hours of firing, having reached 2631 Ns of total impulse. The successful conclusion of the pre-qualification test campaign shows that the FT-150? FEEP micro-thruster design is ready for qualification and that the FEEP technology can be taken into account as plausible candidate for future flight applications.