Flight MPT Development, Qualification and Thrust Measurement Campaign

Kent Frankovich; Mahadevan Krishnan; Jonathan A Mackey; Hani Kamhawi

NASA NTRS · 20240004696

Flight MPT Development, Qualification and Thrust Measurement Campaign

Kent Frankovich·Mahadevan Krishnan·Jonathan A Mackey·Hani Kamhawi

Abstract

A torsional thrust stand, calibrated for impulse bits in the range of 0.1mNs -0.5 mNs, was used to measure impulse bits during two campaigns at the NASA/GRC VF-3 Vacuum test Facility. Metal Plasma Thrusters (MPTs) with targets of Molybdenum, Copper and Stainless Steel (as used in upper stages of launch vehicles that are abandoned in LEO) were tested. This paper describes data from Mo targets (called pucks). The Cu and ss data will be presented elsewhere. Model predictions (based on a simple circuit model and published plasma parameters) were validated by data from the calibrated torsional thrust stand. The Metal Plasma Thruster uses solid metal propellant, hence requires no liquids, gases, flow valves or flow controls and has no moving parts. Total impulse ~5000Ns/U provides orbit raising and drag compensation capability.

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Kent Frankovich, Mahadevan Krishnan, Jonathan A Mackey, Hani Kamhawi. Flight MPT Development, Qualification and Thrust Measurement Campaign. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20240004696

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