Open AccessSTG-ET: DLR Electric Propulsion Test Facility
Author(s) -
Andreas Neumann
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of large-scale research facilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2364-091X
DOI - 10.17815/jlsrf-3-156-1
Subject(s) - electrically powered spacecraft propulsion , ion thruster , propulsion , aerospace engineering , spacecraft , plume , spacecraft propulsion , vacuum chamber , thrust , engineering , mechanical engineering , automotive engineering , physics , meteorology
DLR operates the High Vacuum Plume Test Facility Göttingen – Electric Thrusters (STG-ET). This electric propulsion test facility has now accumulated several years of EP-thruster testing experience. Special features tailored to electric space propulsion testing like a large vacuum chamber mounted on a low vibration foundation, a beam dump target made of low sputtering material, and a performant pumping system characterize this facility. The vacuum chamber is 12.2m long and has a diameter of 5m. With respect to accurate thruster testing, the design focus is on accurate thrust measurement, plume diagnostics, and plume interaction with spacecraft components. Electric propulsion thrusters have to run for thousands of hours, and with this the facility is prepared for long-term experiments. This paper gives an overview of the facility, and shows some details of the vacuum chamber, pumping system, diagnostics, and experiences with these components.