Performance and lifetime assessment of magnetoplasmadynamic arc thruster technology
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Sovey, James S.↗
Engineering topics
Sovey, James S.
Publications and source records attributed to Sovey, James S..
Flexible fluoropolymer filled protective coatings
Metal oxide films such as SiO2 are known to provide an effective barrier to the transport of moisture as well as gaseous species through polymeric films. Such thin film coatings have a tendency to crack upon flexure of the polymeric substrate. Sputter co-deposition of SiO2 with 4 to 15 percent fluoropolymers was demonstrated to produce thin films with glass-like barrier properties that have significant increases in strain to failure over pure glass films which improves their tolerance to flexure on polymeric substrates. Deposition techniques capable of producing these films on polymeric substrates are suitable for durable food packaging and oxidation/corrosion protection applications.
Banks, Bruce A.↗
Ion beam sputtering in electric propulsion facilities
Experiments were undertaken to determine sputter yields of potential ion beam target materials, to assess the impact of charge exchange on beam diagnostics in large facilities, and to examine material erosion and deposition after a 957 hr test of a 5 kW-class ion thruster. The xenon ion sputter yield of flexible graphite was lower than other graphite forms especially at high angles of incidence. Ion beam charge exchange effects were found to hamper beam probe current collection diagnostics even at pressures from 0.7 to 1.7 mPa. Estimates of the xenon ion beam envelope were made and predictions of the thickness of sputter deposited coatings in the facility were compared with measurements.
Sovey, James S.↗
Test facilities for high power electric propulsion
Electric propulsion has applications for orbit raising, maneuvering of large space systems, and interplanetary missions. These missions involve propulsion power levels from tenths to tens of megawatts, depending upon the application. General facility requirements for testing high power electric propulsion at the component and thrust systems level are defined. The characteristics and pumping capabilities of many large vacuum chambers in the United States are reviewed and compared with the requirements for high power electric propulsion testing.
Sovey, James S.↗
Advanced propulsion for LEO and GEO platforms
Mission requirements and mass savings applicable to specific low earth orbit and geostationary earth orbit platforms using three highly developed propulsion systems are described. Advanced hypergolic bipropellant thrusters and hydrazine arcjets can provide about 11 percent additional instrument payload to 14,000 kg LEO platforms. By using electric propulsion on a 8,000 kg class GEO platform, mass savings in excess of 15 percent of the beginning-of-life platform mass are obtained. Effects of large, advanced technology solar arrays and antennas on platform propulsion requirements are also discussed.
Sovey, James S.↗
Performance and endurance tests of a laboratory model multipropellant resistojet
This paper presents the results of an effort to demonstrate the technological readiness of a long-life multipropellant resistojet for Space Station auxiliary propulsion. A laboratory model resistojet made from grain-stabilized platinum served as a test bed to evaluate the design characteristics, fabrication methods, and operating strategies for an engineering model multipropellant resistojet developed as part of the NASA Space Station propulsion system Advanced Development Program. The laboratory model thruster was characterized for performance on a variety of fluids expected to be available onboard a Space Station, then subjected to a 2000-h, 2400-thermal-cycle endurance test using carbon dioxide propellant. Maximum thruster temperatures were approximately 1400 C. Significant observations from the laboratory model thruster performance and endurance tests are discussed as they relate to the design of the engineering model thruster.
Morren, W. Earl↗
Geometric effects in applied-field MPD thrusters
Three applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster geometries were tested with argon propellant to establish the influence of electrode geometry on thruster performance. The thrust increased approximately linearly with anode radius, while the discharge and electrode fall voltages increased quadratically with anode radius. All these parameters increased linearly with applied-field strength. Thrust efficiency, on the other hand, was not significantly influenced by changes in geometry over the operating range studied, though both thrust and thermal efficiencies increased monotonically with applied field strength. The best performance, 1820 sec I(sub sp) at 20 percent efficiency, was obtained with the largest radius anode at the highest discharge current (1500 amps) and applied field strength (0.4 Tesla).
Myers, R. M.↗
Advanced propulsion for LEO and GEO platforms
Mission requirements and mass savings applicable to specific low earth orbit and geostationary earth orbit platforms using three highly developed propulsion systems are described. Advanced hypergolic bipropellant thrusters and hydrazine arcjets can provide about 11 percent additional instrument payload to 14,000 kg LEO platforms. By using electric propulsion on a 8,000 kg class GEO platform, mass savings in excess of 15 percent of the beginning-of-life platform mass are obtained. Effects of large, advanced technology solar arrays and antennas on platform propulsion requirements are also discussed.
Sovey, James S.↗
Electromagnetic emission experiences using electric propulsion systems
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Sovey, James S.↗
Performance of a 100 kW class applied field MPD thruster
Performance of a 100 kW, applied field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster was evaluated and sensitivities of discharge characteristics to arc current, mass flow rate, and applied magnetic field were investigated. Thermal efficiencies as high as 60 percent, thrust efficiencies up to 21 percent, and specific impulses of up to 1150 s were attained with argon propellant. Thrust levels up to 2.5 N were directly measured with an inverted pendulum thrust stand at discharge input powers up to 57 kW. It was observed that thrust increased monotonically with the product of arc current and magnet current.
Mantenieks, Maris A.↗
Performance characterizations of an engineering model multipropellant resistojet
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Morren, W. Earl↗
Test facility and preliminary performance of a 100 kW class MPD thruster
A 260 kW magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster test facility was assembled and used to characterize thrusters at power levels up to 130 kW using argon and helium propellants. Sensitivities of discharge characteristics to arc current, mass flow rate, and applied magnetic field were investigated. A thermal efficiency correlation developed by others for low power MPD thrusters defined parametric guidelines to minimize electrode losses in MPD thrusters. Argon and helium results suggest that a parameter defined as the product of arc voltage and the square root of the mass flow rate must exceed .7 V-kg(1/2)-s(-1/2) in order to obtain thermal efficiencies in excess of 60 percent.
Sovey, James S.↗
Performance and lifetime assessment of MPD arc thruster technology
A summary of performance and lifetime characteristics of pulsed and steady-state magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters is presented. The technical focus is on cargo vehicle propulsion for exploration-class missions to the Moon and Mars. Relatively high MPD thruster efficiencies of 0.43 and 0.69 have been reported at about 5000 s specific impulse using hydrogen and lithium, respectively. Efficiencies of 0.10 to 0.35 in the 1000 to 4500 s specific impulse range have been obtained with other propellants (e.g., Ar, NH3, N2). Thermal efficiency data in excess of 0.80 at MW power levels using pulsed thrusters indicate the potential of high MPD thruster performance. Extended tests of pulsed and steady-state MPD thrusters yield total impulses at least two to three orders of magnitude below that necessary for cargo vehicle propulsion. Performance tests and diagnostics for life-limiting mechanisms of megawatt-class thrusters will require high fidelity test stands which handle in excess of 10 kA and a vacuum facility whose operational pressure is less than 3 x 10 to the -4 torr.
Sovey, James S.↗
Performance and lifetime assessment of MPD arc thruster technology
A summary of performance and lifetime characteristics of pulsed and steady-state magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters is presented. The technical focus is on cargo vehicle propulsion for exploration-class missions to the Moon and Mars. Relatively high MPD thruster efficiencies of 0.43 and 0.69 have been reported at about 5000 s specific impulse using hydrogen and lithium, respectively. Efficiencies of 0.10 to 0.35 in the 1000 to 4500 s specific impulse range have been obtained with other propellants (e.g., Ar, NH3, N2). Thermal efficiency data in excess of 0.80 at MW power levels using pulsed thrusters indicate the potential of high MPD thruster performance. Extended tests of pulsed and steady-state MPD thrusters yield total impulses at least two to three orders of magnitude below that necessary for cargo vehicle propulsion. Performance tests and diagnostics for life-limiting mechanisms of megawatt-class thrusters will require high fidelity test stands which handle in excess of 10 kA and a vacuum facility whose operational pressure is less than 3 x 10 to the -4 torr.
Sovey, James S.↗
Water-propellant resistojets for man-tended platforms
The selection of a propulsion system for a man-tended platform has been influenced by the planned use of resistojets for drag make-up on the manned Space Station. For that application a resistojet has been designed that is capable of operation with a wide variety of propellants, including water. The reasons for the selection of water as the propellant and the performance of water as a propellant are discussed. The man-tended platform and its mission requirements are described.
Louviere, Allen J.↗
Space Station propulsion system technology
Two propulsion systems have been selected for the Space Station: O/H rockets for high thrust applications and the multipropellant resistojets for low thrust needs. These thruster systems integrate very well with the fluid systems on the station. Both thrusters will utilize waste fluids as their source of propellant. The O/H rocket will be fueled by electrolyzed water and the resistojets will use stored waste gases from the environmental control system and the various laboratories. This paper presents the results of experimental efforts with O/H and resistojet thrusters to determine their performance and life capability.
Jones, Robert E.↗
Preliminary performance characterizations of an engineering model multipropellant resistojet for space station application
Presented are the results of a program to describe the operational characteristics of an engineering model multipropellant resistojet for application as an auxiliary propulsion system for the space station. Performance was measured on hydrogen, helium, methane, water (steam), nitrogen, air, argon, and carbon dioxide. Thrust levels ranged form 109 to 355 mN, power levels ranged from 167 to 506 W, and specific impulse values ranged from 93 to 385 sec, depending on the propellant, chamber pressure, and heater current level selected. Detailed thermal maps of the heater and heat exchanger were also obtained for operation with carbon dioxide.
Morren, W. Earl↗
Electromagnetic emission experiences using electric propulsion systems - A survey
As electric propulsion systems become ready to integrate with spacecraft systems, the impact of propulsion system radiated emissions are of significant interest. Radiated emissions from electromagnetic, electrostatic, and electrothermal systems have been characterized and results synopsized from the literature describing 21 space flight programs. Electromagnetic radiated emission results from ground tests and flight experiences are presented with particular attention paid to the performance of spacecraft subsystems and payloads during thruster operations. The impacts to transmission of radio frequency signals through plasma plumes are also reviewed.
Sovey, James S.↗