Characterization of ionic liquid multimode propellant operating in a porous glass electrospray thruster

Abstract

Multimode space propulsion is an emerging technology that shows a promising increase in mission flexibility, adaptability, and mass savings for specific missions [1]. Finding a propellant that operates well in multiple propulsive modes is a key step in getting multimode propulsion systems flying in space. This study characterizes a novel multimode propellant named FAM-110A through operation in a porous glass electrospray thruster. Measurements acquired include current-voltage characteristic curves, plume energy via a retarding potential analyzer, and mass to charge ratio via a linear time of flight spectrometer. It is demonstrated that FAM-110A operates stably in cation emission, anion emission, and bipolar operational modes.
The propellant has a higher onset voltage and emits less current than EMIM BF₄ operating in the same thruster. The electrospray plume emitted during operation with FAM-110A appears to be monoenergetic and the time of flight data indicates that the EMIM monomer species is most likely the dominant species being emitted during cation emission operation.

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