Impulse Transfer Thruster – design, development and experimental characterization of the Radio-Frequency Ion Engine for contactless space debris removal

Abstract

This paper summarises the outcomes of design, development and experimental characterisation of the Radio-Frequency Ion Engine for contactless space debris removal performed under the FP7 LEOSWEEP project: Improving low earth orbit security with enhanced electric propulsion (FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement N.607457) by TransMIT GmbH. The challenging requirement set determined by the needs of long-distance impulse transfer – necessary to de-orbit or up-orbit the bulky space debris such as upper stages of launchers – drove the development of unique engine features realised in the final breadboard. An extensive experimental campaign verified full compliance with all the set performance objectives, including ultra-low angular beam divergence, thereby confirming the feasibility of the Ion Beam Shepherd concept for active debris removal.