Development, thermal analysis, and verification of an inverted pendulum thrust stand
Shell, Justin
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132603
Description
Title
Development, thermal analysis, and verification of an inverted pendulum thrust stand
Author(s)
Shell, Justin
Issue Date
2025-12-11
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Rovey, Joshua L
Department of Study
Aerospace Engineering
Discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Inverted pendulum thrust stand
hall thruster
thermal drift
thrust measurements
facility
Language
eng
Abstract
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.
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