Journal of large-scale research facilities JLSRF (Aug 2016)

STG-CT: High-vacuum plume test facility for chemical thrusters

  • Martin Grabe

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17815/jlsrf-2-139
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2
p. A86

Abstract

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The STG-CT, operated by the DLR Institute for Aerodynamics and Flow Technology in Göttingen, is a vacuum facility specically designed to provide and maintain a space-like vacuum environment for researching plume flow and plume impingement from satellite reaction control thrusters. Its unique liquid-helium driven cryopump of 30m2 allows maintaining a background pressure <10^-5 mbar even when molecular hydrogen is a plume constituent.