Miniature Ion Thruster Test Bench Variant 27 Kit with Arduino Mega + Sensor
Build a Professional-Grade Ion Thruster Test Bench: Arduino Mega, High-Voltage Grid, Dual INA219 Beam Current & MPX5700 Pressure Telemetry
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
You will construct a fully operational miniature ion thruster test bench that replicates the core diagnostics of electric propulsion labs. The high-voltage grid accelerates ionised gas, while dual INA219 modules measure beam current in real time and a pair of MPX5700 sensors monitor chamber pressure. All data streams are logged with DS3231-timestamped records and displayed live on the TFT screen, giving you the exact data set propulsion engineers use to characterise thruster efficiency.
What You'll Build
A safety-enclosed test bench that fires an ion beam through a high-voltage acceleration grid and captures precise beam current and pressure telemetry. You will install everything inside the included enclosure, wire the high-voltage PSU through relay interlocks, and set up the Arduino Mega to drive the TFT dashboard and MicroSD logging system. The result is a bench-ready platform you can use with your own ion source to explore ion optics, space charge effects, and thruster performance curves.
What You'll Learn
- Design and assemble a current-limited high-voltage DC grid circuit with relay-switched safety interlocks for vacuum experiments
- Calibrate INA219 sensors for low-current ion beam measurement down to the microampere range
- Interface MPX5700 pressure transducers with analog front-end conditioning to read chamber conditions from ambient to rough vacuum
- Implement a complete Arduino Mega-based telemetry stack: SD logging, RTC timestamping, and real-time TFT dashboards for beam current and pressure data
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arduino Mega 2560 | 1 |
| INA219 | 2 |
| MPX5700 Pressure Sensor | 2 |
| HV PSU Module | 1 |
| DS3231 RTC | 1 |
| MicroSD Module | 1 |
| 2.4in TFT ILI9341 | 1 |
| Relay Module | 2 |
| 100nF Caps | 15 |
| 10kΩ Resistors | 10 |
| PCB Prototype Board | 3 |
| Safety Enclosure | 1 |
| 12V 3A PSU | 1 |
| Soldering Iron | 1 |
| Solder Wire | 1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
This is an advanced platform designed for B.Tech capstone projects in Aerospace or ECE, M.Tech researchers investigating electric propulsion, and early-career engineers at Indian space startups. It aligns directly with Smart India Hackathon hardware tracks on space technology and is rigorous enough for IIT/NIT rocketry clubs prototyping ion engine diagnostics. ATL tinkering labs with advanced programs and private research labs will also find it a ready-made test bench for vacuum-based propulsion experiments.
Built and Backed by Compoden
Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.
What if I get stuck during the build?
Scan the QR code on the box to launch the AI build companion. It provides step-by-step instructions, wiring diagrams, and live code validation. You also have WhatsApp reach-out to our support team, who know the exact test bench you are assembling.
Is a vacuum chamber included, or do I need to build one?
The kit focuses on the complete instrumentation and high-voltage electronics. You will need a vacuum chamber capable of rough vacuum to operate the ion source and read pressure from the MPX5700 sensors. The AI companion includes mounting and sealing guidelines for integrating your chamber.
How do I ensure high-voltage safety during operation?
The HV PSU is current-limited at 1 mA, and the grid assembly is housed inside the included safety enclosure with a relay interlock that cuts power instantly if the enclosure is opened. The build sequence includes a mandatory safety checklist and an operational test run without voltage before connecting the beam.
Can I extend the system to measure thrust or add a load cell?
Absolutely. The Arduino Mega has spare analog inputs, and the SD-logging framework is modular. The AI companion provides schematics and code snippets for integrating a strain gauge or torsion pendulum thrust measurement — turning the test bench into a full thrust stand with minimal extra work.
High voltage grid accelerates ionised gas. INA219 measures beam current. MPX5700 monitors chamber pressure.
What's in this kit
- Arduino Mega 2560
- INA219 x2
- MPX5700 Pressure Sensor x2
- HV PSU Module
- DS3231 RTC
- MicroSD Module
- 2.4in TFT ILI9341
- Relay Module x2
- 100nF Caps x15
- 10kΩ Resistors x10
- PCB Prototype Board x3
- Safety Enclosure
- 12V 3A PSU
- Soldering Iron
- Solder Wire
Choose your assembly option:
- Soldering Kit — 25W soldering iron, 60/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.
- Breadboard Combo — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.
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Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items