Student-led Design, Construction, and Testing of a Permanent Magnet Hall Thruster on Argon Propellant

In this project, a team of undergraduate students worked to design, construct, and test a permanent magnet Hall-Effect Thruster that operated on argon gas propellant. This thruster was intended to be presented as a demonstration of electric propulsion at future K-12 outreach events. Over the course of one semester the thruster design was validated through simulation and a virtual interface was created with the PEPL MAISE vacuum facility. Utilizing accessible manufacturing techniques and outsourcing parts when necessary, the thruster was manufactured for less than $2000. Ultimately, the thruster was able to achieve ignition on argon.