A radiation cooled, segmented anode was tested in a low power (1 kW class) arcjet thruster in order to study the current distribution in the attachment region of the nozzle of the thruster. The nozzle was composed of five segments insulated from one another with boron nitride spacers and matched the critical dimensions of nozzles commonly used in previous testing. The anode was configured so that the current could be collected across any combination of the segments and the potential difference between the cathode and each of the segments was monitored during testing.
The effect of electrode configuration on arcjet performance
Joint Propulsion Conference ; 1989 ; Monterey, CA, United States
1989-01-01
Conference paper
No indication
English