title: Validated simulation of the ion extraction grid lifetime.
abstract: This article describes the validation of our extraction grid erosion modeling for gridded ion thrusters. Experimental data from three life tests of different thruster sizes and operation conditions was available. For all test cases, an excellent agreement was achieved between experimental and simulated data, which increased the confidence in the lifetime predictions of the code for space missions.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Surface Modification, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig, Germany. michael.tartz@iom-leipzig.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tartz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Neumann