The present work describes the development status, performance levels, and life test history of 5-cm, 8-cm, and 30-cm mercury bombardment ion thrusters and their respective power processors. A 2.6 kW, 30-cm thruster module and its power processor unit are now available that established the performance required by interplanetary and geosynchronous orbit raising missions. An 8-cm thruster with nominal 4.5 mN thrust level capability has demonstrated a high performance over a wide range of thrust and operational life.
Mercury bombardment ion thrusters - Development status, performance levels, and test history
European Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1974 ; Hinterzarten
1974-01-01
Miscellaneous
No indication
English