We describe the performance of a torsional balance suitable for the study of microNewton thrusters. A design based on flexural pivots and electrostatic forces (for calibration and active damping) makes it possible to test thrusters with a mass of a few kilograms, and measure submicroNewton level forces with high accuracy and a resolution better than 0.03 μN. The usefulness of the balance is proved by measuring the performance of two different electric propulsion accelerators: a colloid thruster generating thrust in the 2–13 μN range, and a micropulsed plasma thruster yielding single impulse bits of 19 μN s. The low noise figure of the balance (below in the 7 mHz–1 Hz bandwidth) will make it possible to measure the thrust noise requirements imposed in colloid thrusters by missions such as the Space Technology 7 and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.
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October 2003
Research Article|
October 01 2003
A torsional balance for the characterization of microNewton thrusters
Manuel Gamero-Castaño
Manuel Gamero-Castaño
Busek Co. Inc., 11 Tech Circle, Natick, Massachusetts 01760
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Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 4509–4514 (2003)
Article history
Received:
April 25 2003
Accepted:
July 11 2003
Citation
Manuel Gamero-Castaño; A torsional balance for the characterization of microNewton thrusters. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 1 October 2003; 74 (10): 4509–4514. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1611614
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