Plume Shape Optimization of the ECLIPSE Thruster

Laura Bettiol; Bernhard Seifert; Martin Eizinger; Dusan Cabelka; Florin Plesecu; Nembo Buldrini; Linda Oster; Niklas Gschaider

Plume Shape Optimization of the ECLIPSE Thruster

Laura Bettiol
, Bernhard Seifert
, Martin Eizinger
, Dusan Cabelka
, Florin Plesecu
, Nembo Buldrini
, Linda Oster
, Niklas Gschaider

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

The ECLIPSE thruster is FOTEC’s latest FEEP pro-pulsion system developed for precise spacecraft control. It features an integrated focusing electrode that reduces ion beam divergence to below 30°, im-proving thrust efficiency and minimizing contamination. Simulations guided the optimized focus geometry, which was ALM manufactured and tested in a high-vacuum facility using a plasma diagnostics system based on Digital Faraday Cups (DFCs). The gathered results confirm improved beam profiles across nominal thrust levels. A 500-hour endurance test demonstrated stable performance and insignificant degradation, making ECLIPSE well suited for long-duration space missions where reliability and high-precision are of utmost importance.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the 10th Space Propulsion Conference
Publication status	Published - 19 May 2026

Cite this

@inproceedings{40228c375bcc47efae22c45f2035fb26,

title = "Plume Shape Optimization of the ECLIPSE Thruster",

abstract = "The ECLIPSE thruster is FOTEC{\textquoteright}s latest FEEP pro-pulsion system developed for precise spacecraft control. It features an integrated focusing electrode that reduces ion beam divergence to below 30°, im-proving thrust efficiency and minimizing contamination. Simulations guided the optimized focus geometry, which was ALM manufactured and tested in a high-vacuum facility using a plasma diagnostics system based on Digital Faraday Cups (DFCs). The gathered results confirm improved beam profiles across nominal thrust levels. A 500-hour endurance test demonstrated stable performance and insignificant degradation, making ECLIPSE well suited for long-duration space missions where reliability and high-precision are of utmost importance.",

author = "Laura Bettiol and Bernhard Seifert and Martin Eizinger and Dusan Cabelka and Florin Plesecu and Nembo Buldrini and Linda Oster and Niklas Gschaider",

year = "2026",

month = may,

day = "19",

language = "English",

booktitle = "Proceedings of the 10th Space Propulsion Conference",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - Plume Shape Optimization of the ECLIPSE Thruster

AU - Bettiol, Laura

AU - Seifert, Bernhard

AU - Eizinger, Martin

AU - Cabelka, Dusan

AU - Plesecu, Florin

AU - Buldrini, Nembo

AU - Oster, Linda

AU - Gschaider, Niklas

PY - 2026/5/19

Y1 - 2026/5/19

N2 - The ECLIPSE thruster is FOTEC’s latest FEEP pro-pulsion system developed for precise spacecraft control. It features an integrated focusing electrode that reduces ion beam divergence to below 30°, im-proving thrust efficiency and minimizing contamination. Simulations guided the optimized focus geometry, which was ALM manufactured and tested in a high-vacuum facility using a plasma diagnostics system based on Digital Faraday Cups (DFCs). The gathered results confirm improved beam profiles across nominal thrust levels. A 500-hour endurance test demonstrated stable performance and insignificant degradation, making ECLIPSE well suited for long-duration space missions where reliability and high-precision are of utmost importance.

AB - The ECLIPSE thruster is FOTEC’s latest FEEP pro-pulsion system developed for precise spacecraft control. It features an integrated focusing electrode that reduces ion beam divergence to below 30°, im-proving thrust efficiency and minimizing contamination. Simulations guided the optimized focus geometry, which was ALM manufactured and tested in a high-vacuum facility using a plasma diagnostics system based on Digital Faraday Cups (DFCs). The gathered results confirm improved beam profiles across nominal thrust levels. A 500-hour endurance test demonstrated stable performance and insignificant degradation, making ECLIPSE well suited for long-duration space missions where reliability and high-precision are of utmost importance.

M3 - Conference contribution

BT - Proceedings of the 10th Space Propulsion Conference

ER -

Plume Shape Optimization of the ECLIPSE Thruster

Abstract

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