A1 Evaluation of Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) Long-term Operation

Abstract

Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) is one of the promising propulsion devices. It has characteristics which are simple composition, lightweight, and high durability. And small impulse bit can control precisely total impulse. Therefore PPT propulsion system has the advantage for the small, micro- and nano-satellite attitude control. This paper describes the result of the successive firing test 270,000 shots and over 500,000 shots. In experiments we got evaluation of PPT long-term performance trend, the function of feed mechanism, the electrode erosion and the durability.