Investigation of the PPS-X00 thruster running on alternative propellants (xenon, krypton, argon, and iodine)

Since the 1980s, the main propellant for electric space propulsion has been the noble gas xenon, a heavy atom with a relatively low ionization threshold. However, because of strong market volatility and growing demand within the space industry, a suitable, more sustainable, alternative that gives comparable performance is needed. Other noble gases, such as krypton or argon, have already been demonstrated, but are generally less efficient and have a lower storage density that requires larger and heavier tanks. Iodine, an element close to xenon in the periodic table, is increasingly viewed as a viable alternative despite its molecular and reactive nature. In this work, the PPS-X00 thruster operating on the four propellants (xenon, krypton, argon, and iodine) is investigated. Experimental measurements coupled with simplified simulation models help us understand why iodine is more promising than ever.