A torsional thrust stand, calibrated for impulse bits in the range of 0.1 0.5    mN s , was used to measure impulse bits from a metal plasma thruster. Impulse data were obtained on roughly 1400 shots, with metal plasma thruster targets of molybdenum, niobium, palladium, aluminum, and carbon. Model predictions (based on a simple circuit model and published plasma parameters) were validated by data from the calibrated torsional thrust stand. Over a typical 50-shot firing sequence, the impulse bits measured showed a coefficient of variation of approximately 5%. This implies that individual impulse bits of about 0.4    mN s can be imparted to a satellite with ± 5 % variation about the mean in a total impulse burst of 20    mN s . For a 20 kg satellite, this would result in a velocity increment Δ V of just 1    mm / s , enabling very precise attitude control and fine positioning control of nano- and microsatellites. The metal plasma thruster uses solid metal propellant and hence requires no liquids, gases, flow valves, or flow controls and has no moving parts. Total impulse approximately 5000    ( N s ) / liter provides orbit raising and drag compensation capability.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Impulse Bit Measurements from Metal Plasma Thruster


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2021-01-30


    Size :

    7 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    The Minimum Impulse Thruster

    Parker, J. Morgan / Wilson, Michael J. | NTRS | 2005



    Impulse Measurements of Electric Solid Propellant in an Electrothermal Ablation-Fed Pulsed Plasma Thruster

    Glascock, Matthew S. / Rovey, Joshua L. / Polzin, Kurt A. | NTRS | 2019