Preliminary activities to develop and refine a lightweight 30 cm engineering model ion thruster are discussed. The approach is to develop a 'derated' ion thruster capable of performing both auxiliary and primary propulsion roles over an input power range of at least 0.5 to 5.0 kilo-W. Design modifications to a baseline thruster to reduce mass and volume are discussed. Performance data over an order of magnitude input power range are presented, with emphasis on the performance impact of engine throttling. Thruster design modifications to optimize performance over specific power envelopes are discussed. Additionally, lifetime estimates based on wear test measurements are made for the operation envelope of the engine.
Derated ion thruster design issues
International Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1991 ; Viareggio, Italy
1991-10-01
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Derated ion thruster development status
NTRS | 1993
|Derated ion thruster development status
AIAA | 1993
|Derated Ion Thruster Development Status
NTIS | 1993
|Low-Isp derated ion thruster operation
AIAA | 1992
|Low-Isp derated ion thruster operation
NTRS | 1992
|