Development of Vacuum Arc Thrusters and Diagnostic Tools

The Laboratory for Plasma Technology of the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich, Germany, is working on different topics regarding electric propulsion for small satellites. The main scope currently is the development of new concepts for vacuum arc thrusters (VAT) as well as innovative diagnostics. VATs have a variety of advantages in comparison to other propulsion systems like ion thrusters, FEEP thrusters or cold gas thrusters: useable for a wide variety of solid propellant, mechanically simple and robust design and no need for additional neutralization, while still providing high I sp (~1000s). Moreover they are capable to produce very small impulse bits of the magnitude of µN-s which are highly directional, and can be controlled very easily. Prospective applications include use as main propulsion system for pico satellites as well as fine positioning for larger systems. In this regime VAT shows more potential than conventional chemical thrusters and simpler operation and control compared to other small electric propulsion systems. New diagnostics include tomography, ultra-high-speed imaging techniques and probe measurements, which are used to further understanding and enhance performance investigation of the µ- propulsion system.