Development, thermal analysis, and verification of an inverted pendulum thrust stand

This thesis presents the construction of a null-style inverted pendulum thrust stand for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Electric Propulsion Laboratory (EPL). Hanging, torsional and inverted pendulum thrust stands are briefly discussed followed by an in-depth discussion of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s inverted pendulum thrust stand. Thermal drift was investigated on the thrust stand with component level, sub-system level, and system level testing. Thermal drift data were analyzed and are discussed with recommended mitigation strategies. Relative error was calculated on the thrust stand, and an example relative error calculation was performed for a low power Hall thruster. Facility test setups are discussed with pumping speed experimentally calculated. The SPT-50 and SPT-70 were hot fired and thrust values were measured. The setup and electrical configuration are discussed for the thrusters. Thrust values are then compared with literature to validate the thrust stand.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Shell, Justin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rovey, Joshua L

• Inverted pendulum thrust stand
• hall thruster
• thermal drift
• thrust measurements
• facility

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Justin Shell

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132603

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/132603