As a solution to the problem of scalable propulsion in small satellite architectures, the microfabricated ion Electrospray Propulsion System (iEPS) developed by MIT's Space Propulsion Laboratory has progressed to a point where it is ready to be characterized on a realistic testbed. In this paper, developments in the iEPS thruster design and testing equipment are outlined. Design changes address the performance and testing issues encountered with the first version. These changes include features to mitigate the formation of liquid current paths and ease grid-to-tip alignment and grid removal. Additionally, a 1-DOF free-floating CubeSat testbed with an integrated autonomous remote control system and high-voltage PPU has been developed and tested for use as a thrust balance and attitude control demonstrator.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.