Intro; Acknowledgements; Contents; List of Figures; List of Tables; List of Acronyms; 1 Introduction; 1.1 Missions for Micro-Newton Thruster Applications; 1.2 Micro Propulsion Thrusters Overview; 1.3 Micro Newton Test Facilities in Europe; 1.4 Airbus Development Approach; 2 Electric Propulsion Fundamentals; 2.1 Basic Equations; 2.2 Basic Plasma Physics; 2.3 Electric Propulsion Thruster Types; 2.3.1 Field Emission Electric Propulsion; 2.3.2 Radio Frequency Ion Thruster; 2.3.3 High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thruster; 2.4 Thruster Characterisation; 2.4.1 Direct Thrust Measurement

2.4.2 Indirect Thrust Measurement3 Micro-Newton Thruster Test Facility; 3.1 Vacuum Facility; 3.2 Plasma Diagnostic Setup; 3.2.1 Faraday Cup; 3.2.2 Retarding Potential Analyser; 3.2.3 Plasma Diagnostic Calibration; 3.3 Airbus Micro-Newton Thrust Balance; 3.3.1 Mechanical Balance Setup; 3.3.2 Optical Balance Readout; 3.3.3 Thrust Balance Controlling and Data Acquisition; 3.3.4 Balance Calibration and Uncertainty Analysis; 3.3.5 Thrust Balance Characterisation, Testing and Analysis; 3.4 Test Facility Real Thruster Measurement Results and Analysis

4 Micro High Efficiency Multistage Plasma Thruster Development4.1 Next Generation µHEMPT Development Approach; 4.2 The Next Generation µHEMPT; 4.2.1 Full Size NG-µHEMPT; 4.2.2 Miniaturised NG-µHEMPT; 4.3 NG-µHEMPT Development Summary; 5 Conclusion and Outlook; Bibliography; Appendix