Preliminary Characterisation Test Campaign of EP Technology with Non-Conventional Propellants

This project achieved the first demonstration of stable RIT (Radiofrequency Ion Thruster) operation using atmospheric gases as propellants. The campaign provided essential lifetime and erosion data relevant for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) missions.

• Cifali, G. Preliminary Characterization Test Campaign of EP Technology with Non-Conventional Propellants – Final Report. Technical Report, Alta S.p.A. for European Space Agency (ESA), 1 Aug. 2013, p. 71. Contract EPN-ALT-FR 4/1. (Available upon request from ESA or Alta S.p.A.)
• Cifali, G. “Experimental Characterization of HET and RIT with Atmospheric Propellants.” Proceedings of the 32nd International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC-2011-224), Wiesbaden, Germany, 11–15 Sept. 2011. LINKPDF
• Feili, D., Lotz, B., Meyer, B., Loeb, H., Collingwood, C., Smirnova, M., Khartov, S., Di Cara, D., & Bulit, A. (2013, October 6–10). Testing and comprehensive modeling of a GIE utilizing atmospheric propellants (IEPC-2013-354). Paper presented at the 33rd International Electric Propulsion Conference, Washington, D.C., USA. LINK PDF

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