Absorption-based Laser Mass Flow Meter Design for Iodine Based Applications

Operational satellites using electrostatic thrusters, such as Hall and ion thrusters, typically rely on noble gases like xenon due to its high atomic mass, low ionization energy, and good storage density. Krypton is a cheaper alternative but reduces thrust efficiency. Due to the scarcity and cost of noble gases, researchers are exploring alternatives like condensable metals (Mg,Bi,Li,Zn) and iodine. Iodine offers comparable performance to xenon, lower costs, and can be stored as a solid, simplifying handling. However, this is a corrosive agent that reacts with various materials, consequently the measuring systems used for monitoring must also be designed accordingly. In this work, a iodine mass flow meter designed to operate in aggressive environments where high vacuum and corrosive agents are present is proposed. A reliability study using MIL-HDBK-217F Notice 2 assessed electronic design performance in extreme environments, ensuring durability in space applications.