↦ Newsroom Ground test stand operational: load cell (0.1 N accuracy), pressure transducers, thermocouples, 1 kHz data acquisition. Thrust, pressure, and temperature measurement systems verified. Test fires confirm high-quality data capture. Dedicated test area with safety systems. Enables systematic catalyst and geometry optimization testing.
## Test Stand Instrumentation
A dedicated ground test stand for HTP thruster evaluation came online with comprehensive instrumentation: load cell for thrust measurement, pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and high-speed data acquisition at 1 kHz sampling rate. This enables capture of transient behavior during startup and shutdown.
## Measurement Systems
Thrust measurement uses a load cell mounted on a rigid frame with 0.1 newton accuracy. Propellant feed line and chamber pressure are measured with piezoelectric transducers for fast response. Temperature measurement at propellant inlet, thruster chamber, and exhaust uses Type K thermocouples for wide range and solid accuracy.
## Data Acquisition
Computer-based system with analog-to-digital converters samples all sensors at 1 kHz, providing excellent time resolution. Data streams to disk for analysis. Test stand is located on a concrete pad in a dedicated test area with proper safety systems—blast shields, remote propellant feed control, and emergency shutdown procedures. HTP is a strong oxidizer and hazardous, so safety is non-negotiable.
## Operational Status
Several test fires verified instrumentation operation and data quality. Thrust rise time, chamber pressure dynamics, and temperature transients are captured in crisp detail. The test stand enables systematic testing of catalyst formulations and thruster geometries with high confidence in results.