Abstract
The Quad Confinement Thruster employs a convex magnetic field bounded by four cusps to weakly con fine electrons and thus create a high density plasma. An electric field sustained between a rear anode and an external hollow cathode provides ion acceleration. In this study the first performance measurements of a permanent magnet high powered QCT (QCT1500) are reported. Direct thrust measurements were made, using a pendulum type thrust balance, as a function of the anode power up to maximum power of 800 W. A symmetric quadrupole field strength of 950 G was used throughout and the krypton propellant flow was varied from 10-30 sccm. Thrust levels between 3-10 mN at specific impulses of 200-1600s were recorded.