Chapter 8 - Thrust measurement

Abstract

Space propulsion devices, including electric and chemical propulsion, yield a wide-range thrust from nN to kN and have weights from grams to 10kg. Hence, some thrusters have a thrust-to-weight ratio below 1. Especially for low thrust-to-weight ratios, the thrust was measured with thrust stands. Generally, the pendulum type is used since the thrust direction is perpendicular to the gravity to cancel the negative influence of the thruster weight. The chapter introduces the displacement and null-balance methods and explains the theory and dynamic properties.