Since the early eighties on magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD-)thrusters in the 100 kW up to the 1 MW power range in a steady state operation mode, extensive investigations have been carried out at the Institut für Raumfahrtsysteme (IRS) of the University of Stuttgart. Under contracts with USAF, USNAVY and with German funds (DFG, DARA) a broad spectrum of MPD-thrusters has been investigated experimentally as well as theoretically. The IRS has excellent facilities for testing high power plasma accelerators in steady state mode. MPD-thrusters with different geometries, nozzle-type and cylindrical ones, were compared under various operating parameters. The influences of mass flow rate and power input on the operating conditions of the thrustes were explored. Also the determination of plasma parameters were carried out, both with probe measurements and optical diagnostics. Besides the water-cooled plasma accelerators, tests with a 'Hot Anode Thruster' (HAT) having a radiation cooled anode have been performed. They showed the feasibility of large radiating tungsten anodes and a lower voltage level compared to the water-cooled devices. A systematic investigation of the various instabilities of the arc and the plasma flow appearing at high power levels has been started. The cathode erosion and its mechanisms, an important factor in the lifetime limitation of all plasma accelerators, were examined with purified propellant gases. The measured erosion rate for the steady state operation is in the same order of magnitude as the sublimation.
Experimental investigation of steady state high power MPD thrusters
Experimentelle Untersuchung eines Magnetoplasmadynamischen Druckgebers der ständig im Hochleistungsbetrieb eingesetzt wird
AIAA-Papers ; 1-13
1992
13 Seiten, 42 Bilder, 29 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Steady state high power MPD thrusters
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