New BOOST publication on plume–spacecraft interactions
Published on 18 September 2026 | News
A new scientific paper related to the research activities carried out within BOOST has been published in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics.
The paper, entitled “Plume Backflow in Gridded Ion Thrusters”, is authored by Federico Cescon, Simone Di Fede, Marco Manente, Daniele Pavarin and Mirko Magarotto from the University of Padova.
The work addresses the backflow region of gridded ion thruster plumes, an important aspect in the assessment of thruster–spacecraft interactions. Understanding the behaviour of ions travelling back towards the spacecraft is relevant for evaluating possible effects on exposed surfaces and for improving the modelling of the plasma environment generated by electric propulsion systems.
This research contributes to the broader activities developed within BOOST on the characterization and modelling of electric propulsion technologies and their interaction with the spacecraft environment.
The publication further strengthens the scientific dissemination of BOOST results and their contribution to the development of advanced modelling tools for next-generation electric propulsion systems.