Overview of known power methods for measuring the jet thrust of ion thrusters: pivot targets

The paper provides an overview of most existing designs of power stands based on a hinged target designed to measure the thrust of ion thrusters. 14 unique designs of stands based on a hinged target are presented, and 2 designs of aerodynamic stands based on an elastic target are additionally added. The presented stands based on an elastic target have a measurement range of steady-state thrust from 15 µN to 300 mN. The stands based on hinged targets cover the range of measured steady-state thrust from 0.2 µN to 2.5 N and the range of measured thrust pulses from 20 µN ·s to 1 mN·s. The temporary section from 1982 to 2015 is covered. The methods of recording micro-displacements of the sensing element, damping of parasitic vibrations and calibration of stands are shown. Data on errors in measuring thrust by stands are presented.