The Laboratory of Plasma Nudge for Satellites (PlaNS) was established in 2013 as an experimental base for the former Plasma Accelerators Group (PAG) to carry out in research on plasma/ion sources for Electric Propulsion (EP) in the IPPLM. The Laboratory has a 2.5 m³ vacuum facility equipped with a three-stage pumping system, thrust stand capable of measuring thrust in mN range and impulse bits in μNs range, as well as plasma diagnostics for measurements of the emitted beam.

The group inherited fifteen years of expertise in the field of plasma and ion sources acquired by its founding members who authored more than 40 peer-reviewed and conference papers on plasma accelerators for space, some of which have become landmark references in the domain. The team, led by Dr. Jacek Kurzyna, has been involved in a number of international projects and currently specializes in two EP technologies: Hall Thruster and Pulsed Plasma Thruster. Laboratory models of both thrusters were developed in-house from the ground up.

PlaNS’s Hall Thruster is a 500 W-class device developed in the scope of KLIMT project (ESA/PECS) and later improved during HIKHET project (ESA/PLIIS). It was designed to work specifically with krypton propellant and provide high specific impulse (over 2000 s), while operating at modest power suitable for micro-satellites. Currently, it is at TRL 3.

Side view of plasma plume for HIKHET operated with krypton (left) and xenon propellant (right).

PlaNS’s pulsed plasma thruster was built during LμPPT project (EC/FP7). Unique in being fed with a non-volatile liquid propellant, this 2 W device was intended to provide thrust capability for nano-satellites (CubeSat). Following the very good performance, this thruster was developed further in the scope of INP project (NCBR/POIR). Currently at TRL 4, the 0.5U propulsion system has carried out almost 1.5 milion discharge cycles.

Pulsed plasma thruster in 0.5U form and long-exposure photo of its discharge.