Plasma diagnostic systems for Hall-effect plasma thrusters

A joint programme, involving research laboratories from CNRS (Centre National de le Recherche Scientifique) and ONERA (Office National de Recherches Aérospatiales), was developed in France in connection with the French Space Agency (CNES) and industry (SNECMA) for the understanding of Hall-effect plasma thrusters. Different activities are pursued in parallel: an experimental test of different laboratories' thrusters; the development of diagnostic techniques to characterize the plasma inside and outside the thrusters; and the development of simulation and modelling able to describe characteristics and evaluate the thrusters' performances.