2.6 Developing a prototype of FEEP Thruster for Nano-Satellite - Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP)
- FEEP thruster is a form of electric propulsion based on field ionization of liquid metal, and subsequent acceleration of the ions by a strong electric field.
- FEEP thruster has high specific impulse and it is easy to minimize, which is most suitable thruster for nano-satellite.
- There are three different types of emitter (needle, capillary, slit type), and they operate different thrust level.
- In current study, FEEP thruster with annular type slit emitter, which has advantage of higher thrust level and minimizing is presented.
 | | Fig. (a) Visualization of field emission, (b) Electrical schematic of FEEP thruster (c) 3D modeling of FEEP thruster | |
