60 Years of Electric Propulsion in Giessen – and no end in sight

Ion thrusters are based on the ionization and subsequent acceleration of a propellant. The high exhaust velocities compared to chemical propulsion result in an effective propellant utilization, which makes ion engines attractive for space applications. They are routinely used on satellites for orbit manoeuvres (station-keeping and attitude control). In recent years, new tasks have been evolved such as orbit transfer, space debris removal, and interplanetary missions. The University of Giessen has a long history in developing and characterizing ion engines, starting in the 1960s with the development of the radiofrequency-ion-thruster (RIT). One key objective nowadays is the search for alternative propellants, which may substitute the currently employed xenon. The talk will give an overview of ion thruster applications, the activities at Giessen University and the current status of research of finding new propellants for electric propulsion engines.