This paper describes measurements of performance characteristics of micro-cathode arc thruster. In particular, influence of an applied magnetic field B on the impulse bit, specific impulse, and the mass consumption is investigated. The micro-cathode arc thruster was operated in a quasi-steady-state mode to ensure that a measurable thrust stand deflection was produced. It was found that the impulse bit increases from about 0.1 μ N · s in the case without a magnetic field up to about 1.1 μ N · s in the case of a magnetic field of about 0.3 T. A magnetic field leads to an increase of the mass consumption from about 10 μ g / C at zero magnetic field up to about 50 μ g / C at a magnetic field of about 0.3 T. Average ion velocity is measured to be about 18 km / s (at B = 0 T ) and about 31 km / s (at B = 0.3 T ). Maximum efficiency of the thruster is estimated to be about 7%.


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    Title :

    Performance Characteristics of Micro-cathode Arc Thruster


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2013-12-31


    Size :

    6 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





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