Technical Publications
ISPTech engineers publish qualification results, performance characterisation data, and application analyses at IAC, AIAA, EUCASS, and ISTS. Conference papers are available for download with registration. Application notes are available upon request.
Publications 2023 – 2025
HET-200 Hall Thruster 4,000-Hour Life Test: Interim Results and Erosion Characterisation
Interim performance and erosion characterisation data from the HET-200 4,000-hour qualification life test. Thrust, specific impulse, and mass flow rate reported across 100–500 W discharge power envelope. Anode and channel erosion rates measured via profilometry at 500-hour intervals.
Download Paper (Registration Required)ECSS-E-ST-35C Level 1 Qualification of the CG-50 Cold Gas Reaction Control Module
Full qualification programme for the CG-50 nitrogen cold gas RCS module. Qualification test sequence: thermal cycle (−40 °C to +80 °C, 50 cycles), random vibration (14 Grms, 20–2000 Hz), and endurance (2,000 pulses at 0.5 Hz). All ECSS Level 1 acceptance criteria met.
Download Paper (Registration Required)Combustion Stability Analysis of a 20 N MMH/NTO Bipropellant Thruster at Altitude Conditions
High-frequency pressure oscillation characterisation of the CHT-20B 20 N bipropellant thruster under altitude vacuum conditions. Combustion stability limits mapped across mixture ratio 1.4–1.8, chamber pressure 2–8 bar. Instability boundary and operating margin analysis presented.
Download Paper (Registration Required)Performance Characterisation of the HET-200 Hall Effect Thruster: 100–500 W Operating Envelope
Performance map characterisation of the HET-200 Hall effect thruster across the full 100–500 W discharge power envelope. Thrust, specific impulse (Isp), total efficiency, and thruster input power reported. Plume half-angle measurements at 200 W and 500 W nominal operating points.
Download Paper (Registration Required)Monopropellant Hydrazine Thruster CHT-5: Ground Qualification and In-Orbit Performance Validation
Ground qualification test campaign results and in-orbit performance verification data for the CHT-5 0.5–5 N hydrazine thruster. Altitude simulation acceptance test data compared to first-flight telemetry. Thermal performance and steady-state Isp agreement with prediction models reported.
Download Paper (Registration Required)Titanium Propellant Management Unit Design for Low-Earth-Orbit Smallsats: Mass and Volume Optimisation
Design methodology and test results for the PMU-1 and PMU-5 titanium propellant management units targeting 1–50 kg propellant loads. Mass budget analysis, propellant settling analysis for LEO attitude manoeuvres, and proof pressure test data. Configuration trade study for standard smallsat bus integration.
Download Paper (Registration Required)Application Note AN-003: Selecting Cold Gas vs. Monopropellant RCS for CubeSat ADCS
Decision methodology for selecting between cold gas nitrogen and monopropellant hydrazine attitude control systems for 3U–16U CubeSat platforms. Trade parameters: mass, volume, total impulse, qualification complexity, and propellant handling. Worked examples for 6U and 12U configurations.
Download (Registration Required)Application Note AN-002: Bipropellant vs. Electric Propulsion for LEO Station-Keeping — ΔV Cost Comparison
Propellant mass comparison for LEO drag compensation using CHT-5 monopropellant vs. HET-200 Hall thruster. Analysis covers 400–800 km altitude band, 2–5 year mission life, 100–500 kg spacecraft mass. Break-even power availability analysis for electric propulsion adoption.
Download (Registration Required)Plume Characterisation of the HET-200 Using Langmuir Probe Arrays at Lampoldshausen Altitude Facility
Langmuir probe ion current density and electron temperature mapping of the HET-200 plume at simulated orbital conditions. Far-field ion flux characterisation at 0°–60° off-axis angles. Plume-spacecraft interaction assessment for typical 100 kg smallsat configurations.
Download Paper (Registration Required)Application Note AN-001: Propellant Loading Procedures for Hazardous Material Facility Authorisation
Procedural guidance for hydrazine propellant loading operations — facility requirements, personnel protective equipment, contamination control, and disposal procedures. Compatible with standard European satellite integration facility authorisations. Reference: ECSS-Q-ST-60-14C hazardous materials procedure standard.
Download (Registration Required)Development Status of the CHT-100 500 N Bipropellant Thruster for GTO–GEO Transfer Applications
Early development status and design overview of the CHT-100 100–500 N bipropellant thruster for apogee kick and GTO–GEO transfer missions. Combustion chamber design, nozzle contour optimisation, and propellant valve selection rationale. Preliminary test plan and Isp target: 310 s (vacuum).
Download Paper (Registration Required)ISPTech Propulsion Test Infrastructure at DLR Lampoldshausen: Capability Overview
Overview of ISPTech test infrastructure co-located with DLR Institute of Space Propulsion, Lampoldshausen. Hotfire test stand specifications, altitude simulation capability (0.1 mbar), thrust measurement accuracy (±0.5%), and plume diagnostic instrumentation. Available test services for external programmes.
Download Paper (Registration Required)Technical Data Requests
Full qualification test reports, detailed performance data, and programme-specific application analyses are available to qualified procurement programmes under NDA. Contact ISPTech for access.