Note: Precision balance for sub-miliNewton resolution direct thrust measurement

Abstract

We attempted to test the suitability of a commercial precision balance as a simple alternative sub-miliNewton resolution continuous thrust stand on a vertically oriented 300 W-class Hall thruster. The measured thrust data were in the range of 1-10 mN with a maximum error of 0.1 mN. The performance of the precision balance was compared to the performance of a hanging pendulum thrust stand. The measured thrust from the precision balance falls within the standard error of the hanging pendulum indicating good quantitative agreement.