Development and testing of low-power EP based on the ablative pulsed plasma thruster for an ERS SSC

The paper presents the appearance of a low-power electric propulsion system for a small remote sensing satellites based on an ablative pulsed plasma thruster. Preliminary analysis for the purpose and fields of application of ablative pulsed plasma thrusters (APPT) was carried out. The design appearance of a thruster for small remote sensing satellites was identified, and the main directions of APPT further development were defined. Methods for calculating the APPT propulsion characteristics were developed. The breadboard model of APPT for small remote sensing satellites was developed and made (APPT-350). Research tests of the breadboard model of APPT for Earth remote sensing small spacecrafts were carried out.