On March 27th, according to an announcement from the official WeChat account of "China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation," the Electric Propulsion Test Lab, actively planned and closely cooperated in construction by the 165th Institute and the 801st Institute of the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, has been successfully completed and put into operation in a short period of time, marking a further expansion of the testing field by the 165th Institute and the acquisition of the Hall Effect Electric Propulsion test technology capability.
It is reported that this laboratory, with its top-notch domestic design concepts and technical means, has become a shining pearl in the field of Hall Effect Electric Propulsion engine research. It integrates a vacuum system simulating extreme space environments, capable of accurately simulating space environments at the level of 10-5Pa, providing crucial environmental conditions for engine testing.
At the same time, the laboratory is equipped with a milligram-level propellant flow control supply system to ensure precise control of propellant flow during the testing process, meeting the stringent requirements for engine operation.
Of particular note is the development of high-precision fully automatic thrust measurement equipment and environmental parameter monitoring systems specifically tailored for the small and persistent thrust characteristics of Hall Effect Electric Propulsion engines. These devices can accurately capture changes in engine thrust and monitor environmental parameters in real-time, providing valuable data support for engine performance evaluation and optimization.
In terms of design concepts, the laboratory adopts the advanced concept of the "Blackout Test Lab," closely integrating digital means with the testing system. This innovative design enables the testing system to achieve unmanned continuous testing throughout the entire cycle with comprehensive and reliable fault diagnosis system support. This not only greatly improves testing efficiency but also effectively saves labor costs, providing researchers with a more convenient and efficient testing environment.
In the ignition test on March 22nd, a certain type of 80mN Hall thruster product performed excellently on the test stand, with all test data meeting design standards. This achievement fully demonstrates that the testing facility fully meets the testing requirements of Hall Effect Electric Propulsion engines, laying a solid foundation for subsequent engine development work.
