Modeling, simulation, and design of an electrostatic colloid thruster

Summary form only given as follows. Electrostatic colloid thrusters fill a unique niche in space propulsion; small (micro/milli-Newton range), high efficiency (70%+), and a large Isp range (500-5000s). Colloid thrusters electrostatically create charged liquid particle beams to generate thrust, allowing higher charge to mass ratios than ion thrusters. Presented is a simulation and design for a low-voltage (few kV) system using commercial-off-the-shelf 3D modeling and E/M mapping. Techniques and results are explored as well as performance implications of non-ideal acceleration grid effects. Particle tracking analysis is done by building on an unstructured mesh in the acceleration volume and a static electric field generated by COSMOS/EMS design package. Finally, exploration and optimization of the performance characteristics of a colloid thruster is done.