Computational plasma engineering of Gridded Ion Engines with VSTRAP-GIE

Plasma engineering software built to design, simulate, and optimize satellite propulsion engines.

3D Erosion and Lifetime Simulation

Advanced Erosion Modeling: Validated 3D model accurately simulates barrel erosion in 2-gridded ion optics, enabling direct comparison with lifetime test results.​

Comprehensive Wear Analysis: 3D simulations reveal detailed erosion patterns, including pits and grooves, beyond basic barrel wear.​

Rapid Lifetime Assessment: Optimized simulations enable quick longevity predictions, facilitating thruster design and operation improvements.​

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User-Friendly Interface and Operation

Easy to learn: User-friendly GUI with default parameters, free onboarding, and user manual for quick productivity.​

Easy to use: Smart algorithms ensure maximum performance and numerical stability, allowing focus on product development without specialized expertise.​

Easy from end to end: From Chabert’s discharge model generating inflow conditions for the gridded ion optics, to automated beamlet simulations and ion beam construction, over to automated plume simulations – VSTRAP maintains its ease of use at any stage of your thruster.

Design Optimization and Risk Mitigation

Efficient Design Exploration: VSTRAP-GIE automates simulations for various design parameters, accelerating optimization and reducing time to market and costs.​

Supply Chain Risk Reduction: Virtually assess design variations before ordering prototypes, minimizing experimental campaigns and mitigating supply chain risks.​

Streamlined Performance Enhancement: Explore improvements by adjusting select parameters, minimizing re-qualification efforts for existing products.​

Key features

3D3V hybrid plasma model for gridded ion optics simulation
2-gridded and 3-gridded ion optics base designs
Xenon, Argon and Krypton propellants included
3D3V hybrid plume modelling
Automated steady-state detection
Automated beam construction for plume simulations
Automated & flexible parameter variation

Why choose VSTRAP

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  • ITAR free off-the-shelf product
  • Frequent software update
  • Have a say in new feature priorities
  • Be immediately productive
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Key metrics

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core dedicated applications technologies and growing
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verification test cases and counting
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Industrial production environment to ensure what works today works tomorrow

Key Features

Plug&Play

VSTRAP comes as a hardware and software combination, pre-installed, pre-configured and burn tested. Simply receive the package, unpack and plug it in. Start the software and simply create your simulation by modifying any of the pre-set base configurations the same day as you received it.

Automated Thruster Design Search

After setting up your reference thruster configuration and specifying performance acceptance metrics, e.g. thrust, you only need to decide which parameters shall be varied within which bounds… VSTRAP does the rest and provides designs fulfilling your performance metrics.

Enrich Plume Data

After running the simulation, get advanced plume date from the software as extra data to your electric propulsion device, giving more value to your product.