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In free electron drift thrusters, an intense current discharge is generated within an annular chamber by the so-called "Hall effect". Propellant particles are ionized by this discharge and accelerated along an axial electric field to high exhaust velocities. Industrial development of this technology, originated in the former USSR, is now led by major European and USA propulsion companies. As a research laboratory, Centrospazio carries out basic research activities in this sector aimed at improving understanding of the physical processes involved.
A prototype thruster has been designed, built and tested. Operated with Xe propellant, this thruster has demonstrated satisfactory performance at 54 mN thrust level with a specific impulse of about 2000 s.
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