ECRA thruster advances: 30W and 200W prototypes latest performances

The H2020 MINOTOR project focused on the study and the optimization of the ECRA thruster, an electric propulsion system for satellites. First, a 30 W prototype of this Electron Cyclotron Resonance Thruster (ECRT) is optimized. Then, a 200 W prototype is design based on these findings. The performances of both prototypes were assessed at two different facilities: at ONERA in France and at Justus Liebig University in Germany. Significant improvement of performances of both thrusters with the decrease of background pressure is presented. Total thrust efficiencies as high as 50% are measured at JLU, as well as erosion and lifetime assessment. The stability of the thruster for a constant point of operation was measured for one hundred hours of operation.