Browsing by Author "Allehiani, Zaher"

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Development of a Hall-Effect Thruster Operating on Molecular Propellant: 1-Fluoronaphthalene
(University of Southampton, 2025) Allehiani, Zaher; Rayan, Charlie
Modern small satellites demand precise orbit control and low mission cost. Electric propulsion (EP) supports these goals by providing high exhaust velocity in compact, efficient systems. Among EP technologies, Hall-effect thrusters (HETs) are widely used because they produce useful thrust at modest power levels with relatively simple and robust hardware. Propellant selection strongly influences cost, storage complexity, and handling risk. Conventional noble-gas propellants each present limitations: xenon is expensive and supply-constrained; krypton typically yields lower performance and faces price and supply volatility; and argon, though abundant and inexpensive, performs poorly in HETs. These factors motivate interest in condensable alternatives. However, molecular propellants can dissociate and generate fragment ions, creating additional electron-energy losses that may alter the ion distribution and increase plume divergence (the lateral spreading of the exhaust). For low-power HETs, the significance of these effects remains insufficiently quantified. In this context, the present work investigates whether 1-fluoronaphthalene can be reliably vaporised, delivered, and used as a propellant in a low-power HET, and whether it can provide stable operation with acceptable performance.
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