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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Xenon Acquisition Strategies for High-Power Electric Propulsion NASA Missions

Solar electric propulsion (SEP) has been used for station-keeping of geostationary communications satellites since the 1980s. Solar electric propulsion has also benefitted from success on NASA Science Missions such as Deep Space One and Dawn. The xenon propellant loads for these applications have been in the 100s of kilograms range. Recent studies performed for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) have demonstrated that SEP is critically enabling for both near-term and future exploration architectures. The high payoff for both human and science exploration missions and technology investment from NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) are providing the necessary convergence and impetus for a 30-kilowatt-class SEP mission. Multiple 30-50- kilowatt Solar Electric Propulsion Technology Demonstration Mission (SEP TDM) concepts have been developed based on the maturing electric propulsion and solar array technologies by STMD with recent efforts focusing on an Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM). Xenon is the optimal propellant for the existing state-of-the-art electric propulsion systems considering efficiency, storability, and contamination potential. NASA mission concepts developed and those proposed by contracted efforts for the 30-kilowatt-class demonstration have a range of xenon propellant loads from 100s of kilograms up to 10,000 kilograms. This paper examines the status of the xenon industry worldwide, including historical xenon supply and pricing. The paper will provide updated information on the xenon market relative to previous papers that discussed xenon production relative to NASA mission needs. The paper will discuss the various approaches for acquiring on the order of 10 metric tons of xenon propellant to support potential near-term NASA missions. Finally, the paper will discuss acquisitions strategies for larger NASA missions requiring 100s of metric tons of xenon will be discussed.

Ion Propulsion↗
NASA NTRS2016

Post-Test Inspection of NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster Long-Duration Test Hardware: Discharge Chamber

NASAs Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) Long-Duration Test (LDT) is part of the comprehensive service life assessment of the NEXT thruster. The test was voluntarily terminated in April 2014 after accumulating 51,184 hours of high voltage operation, processing 918 kg of xenon, and delivering 35.5 MN-s of total impulse. This presentation covers the post-test inspection of the thruster hardware, in particular of the discharge chamber and other miscellaneous components such as propellant isolators and electrical cabling.

Ion Thrusters↗
NASA NTRS2014

Recent Development Activities and Future Mission Applications of NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT)

NASAs Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) project is developing next generation ion propulsion technologies to enhance the performance and lower the costs of future NASA space science missions. This is being accomplished by producing Engineering Model (EM) and Prototype Model (PM) components, validating these via qualification-level and integrated system testing, and preparing the transition of NEXT technologies to flight system development. This presentation is a follow-up to the NEXT project overviews presented in 2009-2010. It reviews the status of the NEXT project, presents the current system performance characteristics, and describes planned activities in continuing the transition of NEXT technology to a first flight. In 2013 a voluntary decision was made to terminate the long duration test of the NEXT thruster, given the thruster design has exceeded all expectations by accumulating over 50,000 hours of operation to demonstrate around 900 kg of xenon throughput. Besides its promise for upcoming NASA science missions, NEXT has excellent potential for future commercial and international spacecraft applications.

Electric propulsion↗
NASA NTRS1976

Modularized ion thruster

A modularized ion thruster system was developed for space-propulsion applications. Separate discharge chamber modules (DCMs) were optimized for operation at the thrust levels of T = 0.5 mlb and T = 2 mlb to accommodate the extended thrust range. These optimizations included modifications in the discharge-chamber components and the incorporation of ion machined accelerators in the beam-extraction systems. Performance of the optimized modules are summarized.

Hyman, J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Characterization of 8-cm engineering model thruster

Development of 8 cm ion thruster technology which was conducted in support of the Ion Auxiliary Propulsion System (IAPS) flight contract (Contract NAS3-21055) is discussed. The work included characterization of thruster performance, stability, and control; a study of the effects of cathode aging; environmental qualification testing; and cyclic lifetesting of especially critical thruster components.

Williamson, W. S.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Use of Cumulative Degradation Factor Prediction and Life Test Result of the Thruster Gimbal Assembly Actuator for the Dawn Flight Project

The Dawn Ion Propulsion System is the ninth project in NASA s Discovery Program. The Dawn spacecraft is being developed to enable the scientific investigation of the two heaviest main-belt asteroids, Vesta and Ceres. Dawn is the first mission to orbit two extraterrestrial bodies, and the first to orbit a main-belt asteroid. The mission is enabled by the onboard Ion Propulsion System (IPS) to provide the post-launch delta-V. The three Ion Engines of the IPS are mounted on Thruster Gimbal Assembly (TGA), with only one engine operating at a time for this 10-year mission. The three TGAs weigh 14.6 kg.

Lo, C. John↗
NASA NTRS1992

Development of arcjet and ion propulsion for spacecraft stationkeeping

Near term flight applications of arcjet and ion thruster satellite station-keeping systems as well as development activities in Europe, Japan, and the United States are reviewed. At least two arcjet and three ion propulsion flights are scheduled during the 1992 - 1995 period. Ground demonstration technology programs are focusing on the development of kW-class hydrazine and ammonia arcjets and xenon ion thrusters. Recent work at NASA Lewis Research Center on electric thruster and system integration technologies relating to satellite stationkeeping and repositioning will also be summarized.

Sovey, James S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The advantages of the high voltage solar array for electric propulsion

The high voltage solar array offers improvements in efficiency, weight, and reliability for the electric propulsion power system. Conventional power processes and problems associated with ion thruster operation using SERT 2 experience are discussed and the advantages of the HVSA concept for electric propulsion are presented. Tests conducted operating the SERT 2 thruster system in conjunction with HVSA are reported. Thruster operation was observed to be normal and in some respects improved.

Sater, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A thruster sub-system module /TSSM/ for solar electric propulsion

The thruster subsystem module (TSSM) considered for solar electric propulsion (SEP) missions is to consist of a 30-cm ion thruster, a thruster gimbal system, a propellant storage and feed system, a power processing unit, a modular thermal control system, and a modular support structure. TSSM design requirements are considered along with a TSSM general design approach. It is pointed out that a TSSM for SEP missions can be designed and built based on existing technology.

Sharp, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

High power ion thruster performance

The ion thruster is one of several forms of space electric propulsion being considered for use on future SP-100 based missions. One possible major mission ground rule is the use of single Space Shuttle launch. Thus, the mass in orbit at the reactor activation altitude would be limited by the Shuttle mass constraints. When the spacecraft subsystem masses are subtracted from this available mass limit, a maximum propellant mass may be calculated. Knowing the characteristics of each type of electric thruster allow maximum values of total impulse, mission velocity increment, and thrusting time to be calculated. Because ion thrusters easily operate at high values of efficiency (60 to 70 percent) and specific impulse (3000 to 5000 sec), they can impart large values of total impulse to a spacecraft. They also can be operated with separate control of the propellant flow rate and exhaust velocity. Values are presented of demonstrated and projected performance of high power ion thrusters used in an analysis of electric propulsion for an SP-100 based mission.

Rawlin, Vincent K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

High power ion thruster performance

The ion thruster is one of several forms of space electric propulsion being considered for use on future SP-100-based missions. One possible major mission ground rule is the use of a single Space Shuttle launch. Thus, the mass in orbit at the reactor activation altitude would be limited by the Shuttle mass constraints. When the spacecraft subsystem masses are subtracted from this available mass limit, a maximum propellant mass may be calculated. Knowing the characteristics of each type of electric thruster allows maximum values of total impulse, mission velocity increment, and thrusting time to be calculated. Because ion thrusters easily operate at high values of efficiency (60 to 70%) and specific impulse (3000 to 5000 sec), they can impart large values of total impulse to a spacecraft. They also can be operated with separate control of the propellant flow rate and exhaust velocity. This paper presents values of demonstrated and projected performance of high power ion thrusters used in an analysis of electric propulsion for an SP-100 based mission.

Rawlin, Vincent K.↗
NASA NTRS2001

1000 Hours of Testing Completed on 10-kW Hall Thruster

Between the months of April and August 2000, a 10-kW Hall effect thruster, designated T- 220, was subjected to a 1000-hr life test evaluation. Hall effect thrusters are propulsion devices that electrostatically accelerate xenon ions to produce thrust. Hall effect propulsion has been in development for many years, and low-power devices (1.35 kW) have been used in space for satellite orbit maintenance. The T-220, shown in the photo, produces sufficient thrust to enable efficient orbital transfers, saving hundreds of kilograms in propellant over conventional chemical propulsion systems. This test is the longest operation ever achieved on a high-power Hall thruster (greater than 4.5 kW) and is a key milestone leading to the use of this technology for future NASA, commercial, and military missions.

Mason, Lee S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Performance of large area xenon ion thrusters for orbit transfer missions

Studies have indicated that xenon ion propulsion systems can enable the use of smaller Earth-launch vehicles for satellite placement which results in significant cost savings. These analyses have assumed the availability of advanced, high power ion thrusters operating at about 10 kW or higher. A program was initiated to explore the viability of operating 50 cm diameter ion thrusters at this power level. Operation with several discharge chamber and ion extraction grid set combinations has been demonstrated and data were obtained at power levels to 16 kW. Fifty cm diameter thrusters using state of the art 30 cm diameter grids or advanced technology 50 cm diameter grids allow discharge power and beam current densities commensurate with long life at power levels up to 10 kW. In addition, 50 cm diameter thrusters are shown to have the potential for growth in thrust and power levels beyond 10 KW.

Rawlin, Vincent K.↗
NASA NTRS2014

End-of-Test Performance and Wear Characterization of NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) Long-Duration Test

The NASA's Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) program is developing the next-generation solar electric ion propulsion system with significant enhancements beyond the state-of-the-art NASA Solar Electric Propulsion Technology Application Readiness (NSTAR) ion propulsion system to provide future NASA science missions with enhanced capabilities. A Long-Duration Test (LDT) was initiated in June 2005 to validate the thruster service life modeling and to quantify the thruster propellant throughput capability. Testing was recently completed in February 2014, with the thruster accumulating 51,184 hours of operation, processing 918 kg of xenon propellant, and delivering 35.5 MN-s of total impulse.As part of the test termination procedure, a comprehensive performance characterization was performed across the entire NEXT throttle table. This was performed prior to planned repairs of numerous diagnostics that had become inoperable over the course of the test. After completion of these diagnostic repairs in November 2013, a comprehensive end-of-test performance and wear characterization was performed on the test article prior to exposure to atmosphere. These data have confirmed steady thruster performance with minimal degradation as well as mitigation of numerous life limiting mechanisms encountered in the NSTAR design. Component erosion rates compare favorably to pretest predictions based on semi-empirical models used for the thruster service life assessment. Additional data relating to ion beam density profiles, facility backsputter rates, facility backpressure effects on thruster telemetry, and modulation of the neutralizer keeper current are presented as part of the end-of-test characterization. Presently the test article for the NEXT LDT has been exposed to atmosphere and placed within a clean room environment, with post-test disassembly and inspection underway.

wear tests↗
NASA NTRS2017

Development Status of High-Thrust Density Electrostatic Engines

Ion thruster technology offers the highest performance and efficiency of any mature electric propulsion thruster. It has by far the highest demonstrated total impulse of any technology option, demonstrated at input power levels appropriate for primary propulsion. It has also been successfully implemented for primary propulsion in both geocentric and heliocentric environments, with excellent ground/in-space correlation of both its performance and life. Based on these attributes there is compelling reasoning to continue the development of this technology: it is a leading candidate for high power applications; and it provides risk reduction for as-yet unproven alternatives. As such it is important that the operational limitations of ion thruster technology be critically examined and in particular for its application to primary propulsion its capabilities relative to thrust the density and thrust-to-power ratio be understood. This publication briefly addresses some of the considerations relative to achieving high thrust density and maximizing thrust-to-power ratio with ion thruster technology, and discusses the status of development work in this area being executed under a collaborative effort among NASA Glenn Research Center, the Aerospace Corporation, and the University of Michigan.

Ion Thruster↗
NASA NTRS1989

Performance of Large Area Xenon Ion Thrusters for Orbit Transfer Missions

Studies have indicated that xenon ion propulsion systems can enable the use of smaller earth-launch vehicles for satellite placement which results in significant cost savings. These analyses have assumed the availability of advanced, high power ion thrusters-operating at about 10 kW or higher. A program was initiated to explore the viability of operating 50 cm diameter ion thrusters at this power level. Operation with several discharge chamber and ion extraction grid set combinations was demonstrated and data were obtained at power levels to 16 kW. Fifty cm diameter thrusters using state of the art 30 cm diameter grids or advanced technology 50 cm diameter grids allow discharge power and beam current densities commensurate with long life at power levels up to 10 kW. In addition, 50 cm diameter thrusters are shown to have potential for growth in thrust and power levels beyond 10 kW.

Rawlin, Vincent K.↗