OVERVIEW OF THE IFACT-MP PROJECT: A EUROPEAN IODINE FED ADVANCED CUSP FIELD THRUSTER FOR MID-POWER

The iFACT-MP project aims to develop a 3–5 kW hybrid propulsion subsystem featuring an electric thruster configuration that utilizes an iodine-fed anode alongside a krypton-fed cathode. In parallel, a secondary development path focused on iodine-fed cathodes utilizing enhanced C12A7 emitters. Furthermore, other critical technologies for the subsystem were developed, such as the iodine fluidic chain, consisting of tank, flow regulator and heated pipework, as well as a breadboard PPU to manage the control loops and automated procedures. For system characterization, an in-situ optical mass flow meter was developed and an iodine-compatible vacuum facility equipped for high-power thrust and plume diagnostics was built. Following major milestones being achieved through component validation and coupling testing, the 
project is moving into a final endurance test campaign to verify system reliability and performance.