Unique Plasma Source - LTA

The Low Temperature Argon source (LTA) is a compact one-of-a-kind plasma device designed for space plasma physics research or testing of space hardware before launch. It can artificially simulate the upper ionospheric conditions, meaning, it creates a plasma flow with very low electron temperature (<0.5 eV), low ion energies (two orders of magnitude lower than in a plasma thruster) and yet a relatively high electron density of (~10¹¹m^-3). This flow also has a similar velocity to the flow of ions encountered in orbit (~8 km/s).

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Matched Dipole Probe - MD1

ThrustMe’s Matched Dipole probe (MD1) is a small, advanced, probe capable of absolute electron density measurements. The range of densities is limited to low-density plasmas (<10¹⁵m^-3), where other diagnostic methods have strong limitations. The probe is designed for use in both large- and small-dimension plasmas (<10 cm) with or without magnetic fields. A dedicated system inherently prevents the detection of parasitic effects such as sheath resonances. The MD1 is an indispensable tool for density measurements in space simulation chambers and ion-ion plasma sources.

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Magnetic Ion Energy Analyser - MARFE-1

ThrustMe’s Magnetic Ion Energy Analyser (MARFE-1) is an advanced retarding field energy analyzer capable of absolute current/flux and energy measurements of both positive, and negative ions. The probe measurement head is compact and includes a unique magnetic filter to block the collection of electrons; thus allowing an unobscured measurement of negative ions. The MARFE-1 is the only probe on the market allowing absolute negative and positive ion current/flux measurements.

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Low Energy Retarding Field Energy Analyser - RFEA

The Low Energy Retarding Field Energy Analyser (RFEA) is a diagnostic device developed for express analysis of the broad flows of ions at low energy (< 50 eV). The device is optimized for constant transmission function and can be used for both ion energy analysis and absolute measurements of the ion flux.

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Use cases

Test your space hardware

Reproducing the ionized environment of the upper atmosphere allows for satellite integrators and subsystem manufacturers to test their space hardware ahead of launch. At system level, ThrustMe’s LTA can be used to study the charging of the satellite and anticipate any issues that may arise during flight. At subsystem level, reproducing the ionosphere on ground can provide antenna manufacturers the opportunity to study the signal propagation of their antennas at different altitudes or at various levels of solar activity.

Ionosphere simulation for research

ThrustMe’s ion source and plasma diagnostic tools help researchers conduct ionospheric research on the ground. The LTA can simulate a particle environment similar to that found in the upper atmosphere, providing researchers with the opportunity to conduct experiments which would be too expensive to send to space or to calibrate their own probes and sensors using ThrustMe’s plasma diagnostics.

Space Environment Measurements

ThrustMe’s MD-1 probe is an unprecedently small absolute electron density probe. Its very small size of 3x50mm can fit on almost any small satellite. Embark this probe for upper atmosphere and space weather research purposes.

What our customers say about it

“We were looking for a plasma source for our new Space Simulation Chamber, SSC, to simulate the plasma conditions we observe in our ionospheric research. Plasma density, ion energy and electron temperature should be close to the real ionospheric conditions to develop new instruments and probes. The SSC will also be invaluable to test and verify sensor geometries and to calibrate them. ThrustMe could provide these unique conditions with their Low Temperature plasma source.”

Espen Trondsen, Chief Engineer at University of Oslo, Dept of Physics