Centrospazio is involved in a comprehensive programme for the development of arcjet systems under the sponsorship of ESA and ASI. This programme includes, in particular, the development of a low-power arcjet of the 1 kW class for station-keeping and other auxiliary propulsion uses.
The contract for the development of the thruster was awarded by ESA to BPD Difesa e Spazio, Colleferro (Italy), now FIAT Spazio, with Centrospazio acting as a subcontractor. The development of the thruster is being carried out in two phases: a baseline design is being developed in Pisa and characterized with hydrogen/nitrogen mixtures; a follow-on model is being developed at FIAT Spazio, to be tested with hydrazine and ammonia.

Arcject thruster cathode		Arcjet plume

The test plan underway includes a variety of measurements and in particular:

• thruster electrical characterization
• evaluation of startup procedures
• thrust measurements
• plume characteristics
• erosion effects.

Centrospazio 1 kW arcjet firing on the thrust stand

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CENTROSPAZIO
Via A. Gherardesca, 5 - 56014 Ospedaletto, Pisa, Italy
Tel: +39 050 985097 / 985072 - Fax: +39 050 974094
E-mail: centrospazio@cpr.it

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This pages are maintained by Salvo Marcuccio.
Last modified: November 14, 1998