Two different types of 12 cm magnetoelectrostatic containment (MESC) ion thrusters have been adapted to argon-xenon operation. Discharge chamber optimization produced excellent performance with both the hexagonal and hemispherical shaped thrusters. The hemispherical thruster design yielded the best performance, ionizing 75 to 96 percent of the xenon propellant with a discharge energy consumption rate of 185 to 320 eV/ion. Argon operation of the same thruster achieved 60 to 80 percent propellant ionization at 215 to 370 eV/ion.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Adapting magnetoelectrostatic containment to inert gas thrusters


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Aerospace Sciences Meeting ; 1981 ; St. Louis, MO


    Publication date :

    1981-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English







    Large inert-gas thrusters

    KAUFMAN, H. / ROBINSON, R. | AIAA | 1981


    Large inert-gas thrusters

    Kaufman, H. R. / Robinson, R. S. | NTRS | 1981