Hannover 2013 – scientific programme
Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help
A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 37: Precision measurements and metrology IV (with Q)
A 37.2: Talk
Thursday, March 21, 2013, 14:30–14:45, F 128
Micro-Newton thruster and test facility development — •Franz Georg Hey1,2, Andreas Keller1, Ulrich Johann1, Claus Braxmaier1,3,4, Martin Tajmar2, and Dennis Weise1 — 1Astrium GmbH - Satellites — 2Technische Universität Dresden — 3Universität Bremen — 4Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
For future space missions especially with multi satellite configuration like the New Gravitational Wave Observatory, a highly precise attitude control system is required. The High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thruster (HEMP-T) could be an adequate attitude actuator for these mission scenarios. In parallel to the development of suitable thrusters, also the setup of suitable test infrastructure for measurement of µN thrust noise levels is of crucial importance to understand such systems.
We present the development status of the micro-Newton HEMP-T as well as the status of the developed micro-Newton thrust balance. The developed, integrated and tested thrust balance consists of an optical read out, a calibration device, and the measurement pendulum itself. A heterodyne interferometer is used as optical read out. To measure the tilt of the pendulum, differential wave front sensing is used. The whole interferometer- and the mechanical balance setup is in a total symmetric configuration to enable a common-mode rejection of different noise sources. The calibration was accomplished with an electro static comb. The developed thrust balance has a resolution of 10 µN/√Hz by a measured pendulum translation of few nanometers. Moreover we present the results of an experimental comparison of different HEMP-T configurations.