Future missions, both station keeping and primary electric propulsion, will require multiple thruster restarts after periods of inactivity from a few hours to over one year. Although not a part of the original SERT II (Space Electric Rocket Test) flight objective, the opportunity to demonstrate multiple cathode restarts in space became available following completion of thruster running. Both neutralizer and main cathodes of each flight thruster have been restarted repeatedly following storage periods up to 490 days. No deterioration of cathode heaters has been noted nor has any change been required in starting voltages or currents.


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    Title :

    SERT II hollow cathode multiple restarts in space


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1973 ; Lake Tahoe, NV


    Publication date :

    1973-10-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    SERT 2 hollow cathode multiple restarts in space

    Kerslake, W. R. / Finke, R. C. | NTRS | 1973


    Sert 2 Hollow Cathode Multiple Restarts in Space

    W. R. Kerslake / R. C. Finke | NTIS | 1973


    SERT II Hollow Cathode Multiple Restarts in Space

    WILLIAM R. KERSLAKE AND ROBERT C. FINKE | AIAA | 1974


    SERT II hollow cathode multiple restarts in space

    KERSLAKE, W. / FINKE, R. | AIAA | 1973