Rotation symmetric magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters with self induced magnetic fields are investigated at higher current levels in a steady state operation mode. Three thruster development lines are followed: (a) watercooled nozzle type thrusters, (b) partly radiation cooled nozzle type thrusters, and (c) cylindrical watercooled thrusters. The goal to get 1 MW steady state power input could not be reached in the contract period because of two reasons: the heatflux into the nozzle throat of the investigated DT2 thruster got to unacceptable high values, which has to be overcome by a new construction and both for the nozzle type and cylindrical thrusters the cathode raised problems at high current densities: the thorium oxide agglomerates and the cathodes begin to melt out of their inner zones and become destroyed. Keywords: Steady state magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters; Electric propulsion; Cathodes.
High Power Steady State MPD Thruster
1990
71 pages
Report
No indication
English
Electric & Ion Propulsion , Thrusters , Agglomerates , Cathodes , Construction , Cylindrical bodies , Electric propulsion , High density , High power , Input , Internal , Magnetic fields , Nozzle throats , Nozzles , Operation , Power , Steady state , Thorium oxides , Foreign technology , MPD(Magneto Plasma Dynamic) , HAT(Hot Anode Thruster)
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