An Engineering Model (EM) 8 cm Ion Thruster Propulsion Subsystem was developed for operation at a thrust level 5 mN (1.1 mlb) at a specific impulse 1 sub sp = 2667 sec with a total system input power P sub in = 165 W. The system dry mass is 15 kg with a mercury-propellant-reservoir capacity of 8.75 kg permitting uninterrupted operation for about 12,500 hr. The subsystem can be started from a dormant condition in a time less than or equal to 15 min. The thruster has a design lifetime of 20,000 hr with 10,000 startup cycles. A gimbal unit is included to provide a thrust vector deflection capability of + or - 10 degrees in any direction from the zero position. The EM subsystem development program included thruster optimization, power-supply circuit optimization and flight packaging, subsystem integration, and subsystem acceptance testing including a cyclic test of the total propulsion package.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Engineering model 8-cm thruster subsystem


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1978-06-01


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Engineering Model 8-cm Thruster Subsystem

    B. G. Herron / J. Hyman / D. J. Hopper et al. | NTIS | 1978



    PPS 1350 Plasma Thruster Subsystem Life Test

    Dumazert, P. / Lagardere-Verdier, S. / European Space Agency et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    Evolution of the 1-mlb mercury ion thruster subsystem

    Kerslake, W. R. / Banks, B. A. | NTRS | 1978


    The Qualification of a 4.5 kW Hall Thruster Propulsion Subsystem

    Fisher, Jack / Wilson, Alfred / Werthman, Lance | AIAA | 2003