Professor Jochen Schein is a founding member of the SPACE research center and Professor of Plasma Technology and Basics of Electrical Engineering at the Institute for Plasma Technics.
In the area of space flight, the Chair of Plasma Technology deals with electric propulsion systems for satellite technology. A lecture of the same name (5 ECTS) is offered to students in technical master’s programs.
There is also a great deal of research focus in this area. In addition to developing diagnostics for the analysis of electric propulsion systems, we also develop new propulsion systems. Any new development follows a systemic approach (i.e. propulsion system including PPU). We currently work primarily on propulsion systems in the thrust range of <10 mN with specific impulses in the area of several 1000 s. A current main focus is the analysis of systems already in use, such as RF ion propulsion systems (e.g. those used for the current ESA mission “BepiColombo”). We also work on developing miniaturized propulsion systems for use in nanosatellites.
Several test facilities (vacuum systems) up to almost 5 m3 in size are available to the Institute to simulate space-like conditions for the evaluation of such propulsion systems. There are, however, also measuring systems to resolve thrust in the 1 µN area.
Some examples of previous and current projects on spacecraft propulsion (as of 1 August 2020):
- Innovative propulsion solutions for satellite swarms based on vacuum arc thrusters (IASV), Bavarian space research promotion program (concluded)
- Design, manufacturing and test of electric propulsion plasma and ion beam plume diagnostics using optical/spectroscopic methods, ESA/4000129121/19/NL/RA (ongoing)
- Improvement of the lifetime of electric propulsion thrusters using different propellants by reducing sputtering effects on materials, ESA/4000124912/18/NL/KML (ongoing)
- PJP (Plasma Jet Pack), EU (H2020) 870444 (ongoing)