ETD

• Argon
• electric propulsion
• Hall Thruster
• space propulsion

This thesis presents the development of a 500W-class high-voltage Hall thruster (HVHT) operating with argon. Driven by the increasing demand for cost-effective and efficient propulsion for small satellites, this research addresses the challenges of using light propellants as an alternative to xenon. Beginning with an in-depth tradeoff analysis of alternative propellant options, the thruster’s design process employs a novel scaling methodology that modifies an existing regression analysis to account for alternative propellants. The thesis then details the unconventional design of the magnetic circuit, which is configured to ensure magnetically shielding and mitigate channel erosion, and the thermal and mechanical design of the thruster. The findings of this thesis suggest that the HVHT offers a promising, high-performance alternative to traditional xenon-based systems.