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The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna project (LISA) is a co-operative program between ESA and NASA to detect gravitational waves by measuring distortions in the spacetime fabric. LISA Pathfinder is the precursor mission to LISA designed to validate the core technologies intended for LISA. One of the enabling technologies is the micro-propulsion system necessary to achieve the uniquely stringent propulsion requirements. Two competing systems, a cesium slit emitter (Alta, Italy) and the indium needle emitter (AIT, Austria) technology have been commissioned to develop this micro-propulsion system. At this point, the cesium slit emitter was chosen by ESA as baseline. The indium needle emitter technology was chosen as back-up and its development and test are still proceeding and the obtained results are documented in the present publication. |
