Thrust stand based on a single point load cell for impulse measurements from plasma thrusters

We introduce a simple thrust stand for the direct measurement of the millinewton impulses or thrusts delivered by small thrusters intended for in-space electric propulsion. The thruster under test, with a weight below 1.5 kg, is disposed on a horizontal platform and its impulse is measured as an overweight by using a strain gauge cell physically protected from the ambient plasma and vacuum conditions. This system provides ten thrust readings per second with noise peak to peak amplitudes of 0.10–0.18 mN. The calibration procedures to verify its dynamic response to time dependent thrusts in the range of 0–15 mN using control weights as well as its minimum thrust sensitivity δTs = 0.3 mN are discussed. Additionally, its simple conception permits a plain data reduction and analysis of steady state and low frequency thrust transients. This thrust stand was employed under low pressure and plasma ambient conditions to measure the steady impulses delivered by the Alternative Low Power Hybrid Ion Engine (ALPHIE) of 0.4–4.0 mN with absolute errors ΔT = ±0.3 mN. Finally, the experimental results show that a control electric voltage governs the ALPHIE thruster throttle.