An automated test facility capable of simultaneously operating three 2.5 kW, 30-cm mercury ion thrusters and their power processors is described, along with a test program conducted for the documentation of thruster characteristics as a function of time. Facility controls are analog, with full redundancy, so that in the event of malfunction the facility automaticcally activates a backup mode and notifies an operator. Test data are recorded by a central data collection system and processed as daily averages. The facility has operated continuously for a period of 37 months, over which nine mercury ion thrusters and four power processor units accumulated a total of over 14,500 hours of thruster operating time.
Operational summary of an electric propulsion long term test facility
Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, and DGLR, International Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1982 ; New Orleans, LA
1982-11-01
Conference paper
No indication
English
An electric propulsion long term test facility
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