PROPELLANT DELIVERY SYSTEM, ELECTRIC THRUSTER, AND METHOD OF OPERATING AN ELECTRIC THRUSTER

摘要

An electric thruster comprises a propellant delivery system, wherein the propellant delivery system comprises: a pipe for carrying propellant; a valve which is adapted to adjust a volume or mass flow of the propellant in the pipe; and an expansion actuator which is adapted to actuate the valve for adjusting the volume or mass flow of the propellant. The electric thruster further comprises at least one tank which is adapted to receive propellant for the electric thruster; and a discharge chamber. The at least one tank thereby at least partially encloses an end of the discharge chamber and/or an element thermally coupled with the discharge chamber, and the valve of the propellant delivery system is arranged between the tank and the end of the discharge chamber.