Abstract In this paper, the possibility of feedback servo control of a spacecraft thruster's specific impulse by a boundary feedback system is theoretically considered. The motivation to introduce feedback control is two-fold. The first is to stabilize any inherent plasma instabilities and the second is regulate the output specific impulse of the thruster. Two cases are considered: Electro-thermal thrusters and Electro-dynamic thrusters. The chamber inlet temperature in the case of the electro-thermal thruster or the boundary electric field potential responsible for generation of the velocity of the plasma ions in the case of an electrodynamic thruster, are controlled by feedback so as to regulate the thruster's specific impulse. By introducing typical disturbances in the plasma ionization voltage, it is shown using a two-dimensional fluid model and a suitable boundary feedback law, where the chamber inlet temperature or applied boundary potential is proportional to the error in the specific impulse and the desired specific impulse, that the specific impulse of the thruster may be regulated and held constant. The robustness of the control system is numerically tested, by a two dimensional simulation model using McCormacks's method. The Navier-Stokes equations, including the magneto-hydrodynamic variables were discretized and simulated, using the explicit MacCormack method for a typical nozzle domain. The numerical results for the open and closed-loop velocity fields were obtained and the specific impulse was computed from these fields. It was thus shown that not only the stability of the plasma is realized but also that the specific impulse is regulated as desired.

    Highlights Continuous plasma thruster control problem explicitly defined. Thruster dynamic modelling based finite volume formulation. Output feedback control law based on numerical model. Control law design based on spacecraft thruster simulation. Regulation of specific impulse is feasible by Electric Thrusters.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Feedback control of a spacecraft electro-dynamic thruster


    Contributors:
    Vepa, R. (author)

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 172 ; 82-89


    Publication date :

    2020-03-28


    Size :

    8 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Gimballing Spacecraft Thruster

    Online Contents | 2010


    Thruster and spacecraft

    NAGAO TORU / MORITA NAOKI | European Patent Office | 2016

    Free access

    Gimballing Spacecraft Thruster

    Pickens, Tim / Bossard, John | NTRS | 2010


    Spacecraft Thruster Control via Sigma-Delta Modulation

    Richard Zappulla | Online Contents | 2017


    Spacecraft Thruster Control via Sigma-Delta Modulation

    Richard Zappulla | Online Contents | 2017