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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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This paper summarizes the development of reservoir cathodes for the 20 kWe NEXIS ion thruster. It includes results of performance testing, thermal characterization and preliminary wear testing.
The continuing trend toward smaller and smaller planetary spacecraft to enable the use of smaller, less expensive launch vehicles has motivated an examination of new approaches to reduce the size and mass of xenon ion propulsion systems for these new spacecraft. A system is proposed which is based on the use of a single 4x15-cm segmented ion thruster operated from a single internally redundant power processing unit. An engine input power throttling range of 380 to 4640 W is projected. The design and operation over a power range of 600 to 2400 W of a laboratory model segmented ion engine equipped with carbon-carbon grids is presented. There appear to be no problems associated with interactions with multiple ion sources operating from a single set of high voltage power supplies, neutralization of multiple ion sources from a single centrally located neutralizer, or operation of flat, thin carbon-carbon grids.
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Measurements of both thrust ions and charge exchange ions were made in the beam of a 30 centimeter diameter electron bombardment mercury ion thruster. A qualitative model is presented which describes magnitudes of charge exchange ion formation and motions of these ions in the weak electric field structure of the neutralized thrust beam plasma. Areas of agreement and discrepancy between observed and modeled charge exchange properties are discussed.
The extended life test (ELT) of the Deep Space 1 (DS1) spare flight ion thruster (FT2) was voluntarily terminated June 26th 2003. The test was started in Cotober of 1998, just prior to the launch of the DS1 spacecraft, with the primary purpose of determining the ultimate service life capability of the NASA 30-cm-ion thruster technology.
The NEXT propulsion system is an advanced ion propulsion system presently under development that is oriented towards robotic exploration of the solar system using solar electric power. The Prototype Model engine PM1 was subjected to qualification-level environmental testing to demonstrate compatibility with environments representative of anticipated mission requirements. Random vibration testing, conducted with the thruster mated to the breadboard gimbal, was executed at 10.0 Grms for 2 minutes in each of three axes. Thermal-vacuum testing included a deep cold soak of the engine to temperatures of -168 C and thermal cycling from -120 to 203 C. Although the testing was largely successful, several issues were identified including the fragmentation of potting cement on the discharge and neutralizer cathode heater terminations during vibration which led to abbreviated thermal testing, and generation of particulate contamination from manufacturing processes and engine materials. Thruster performance was nominal throughout the test program, with minor variations in some engine operating parameters likely caused by facility effects. In general, the NEXT PM1 engine and the breadboard gimbal were found to be well-designed against environmental requirements based on the results reported herein. After resolution of the findings from this test program the hardware environmental qualification program can proceed with confidence.
This paper discusses a surface kinetics model of sputtering for a molybdenum surface subject to a flux of carbon atoms and xenon ions.
Measurement of net direct current along ion beam using a magnetic ammeter
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Because of the large mass, low first ionization potential and large electron impact ionization cross-
Model for determining regions of weak and strong plasmas, and calculation of radial variation of plasma density and potential
Because vapor phase fullerene molecules collide with high temperature surfaces at both the cathode in DC discharges and at the walls of vapor sources, knowledge of the thermal stability and material compatibility of fullerenes is important for ion thruster applications. Here, we present a study of the high temperature behavior of fullerenes. We find that when C 60 and C 7O are maintained at temperatures above 1073 K, or are wxposed to hot metal surfaces, significant degradation occurs. We find an activation energy of 261.5 kJ/mol for this process. At temperatures below 873 K, no breakdown of fullerenes can be detected, even after heating for 6 hours. The effect of these findings on C 60 ion thruster design is discussed. Our present C 60 ion thruster experiment is also described.
Thermal design and analysis of cesium contact-ion microthrustor
Probability of thrust vector misalignment in ion thrustor array
Development and testing of low specific impulse ion thruster