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

Shell, Justin

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

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

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.

Graduation Semester

2025-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

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

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Justin Shell

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