A Monte Carlo mission simulation program has been developed to optimize the solar electric propulsion (SEP) thrust subsystem configuration for an Encke comet rendezvous mission. This program examines several possible options for interconnecting power processors to the mercury ion thrusters in order to enhance mission reliability and to reduce SEP subsystem weight. The quantity of power processors and ion thrusters required to perform the mission successfully depends not only on the total required thrust, but also on the individual thruster and power processor performance and reliability. Based on these considerations, it was necessary to determine the quantity of the active power processors and ion thrusters required at any time and the means of providing redundancy. The results provide the basis for selecting an optimum SEP thrust subsystem for this mission and other missions.


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    Title :

    A reliability tradeoff study of interconnecting power processors to mercury ion thrusters


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1975 ; New Orleans, LA


    Publication date :

    1975-03-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :



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