Abstract: Micro-thruster is one of key payloads on high precision satellites. It is meaningful to pretest their thrusts in advance on ground. However, it is of difficulty to measure the thrust below micro-Newton on ground due to factors such as gravity acceleration and environmental disturbances. An integrated micro-thrust stand based on vertical pendulum (VP) structure is designed, to overcome above restrictions. The stand has an adjustable accuracy and can cover a wide dynamic range, in which the differential measurement method and integrated cable assembly are employed. Its performances are then characterized in common lab environment. The results show that the resolution in a fine mode can reach 10 nN,the spectral noise can reach 10nN/Hz^1/2  @ 10mHz and the range reaches 1mN, the measurement range in large range mode can reach 300mN, and the response bandwidth is DC-10Hz when the tested thruster has a mass of 330g. The stand can be calibrated whenever it is needed by both gravitational force and electromagnetic force. It can meet the on-ground test requirements of a variety of micro-thrusters.

Key words: micro-thrusters, thrust stand, micro-thrust calibration, vertical pendulum, differential measurement