Development and testing of a micro-thruster impulse characterization system utilizing pendulum swing time measurements

Abstract

A new method for measuring the performance of a micro-thruster is suggested in this paper. A few thrust stands have been developed for measuring micro-level thrusts. This paper describes a different measurement method that can minimize the calibration involved in the measurements, while providing the capability of directly measuring the produced minimum impulse bit. The underlying theory and the theoretical background for the measurement mechanism are described here. The theory and method is verified using a computer simulation, and the result is given in this paper. The theory has also been tested on an actual hardware. The prototype measurement system has been tested inside a vacuum chamber for verification of theoretical and simulation results. Actual experimental data was used to verify the theory and a test cold gas thruster was also employed for final testing and verification of the measurement system.