This paper discusses the characteristics and implications of use of a derated ion thruster for north-south-stationkeeping (NSSK) propulsion. A derated thruster is a 30-cm diameter primary propulsion ion thruster operated at highly throttled conditions appropriate to NSSK functions. The performance characteristics of a 30-cm ion thruster are presented, emphasizing throttled operation at low specific impulse and high thrust-to-power ratio. Performance data and component erosion are compared to other NSSK ion thrusters. Operations benefits derived from the performance advantages of the derated approach are examined assuming an Intelsat VII-type spacecraft. Minimum ground test facility pumping capabilities required to maintain facility enhanced accelerator grid erosion at acceptable levels in a lifetest are quantified as a function of thruster operating condition. Novel approaches to reducing the derated thruster mass and volume are also discussed.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Performance and optimization of a 'derated' ion thruster for auxiliary propulsion


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1991-06-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Performance and optimization of a derated ion thruster for auxiliary propulsion

    Patterson, Michael J. / Foster, John E. | NTRS | 1991




    Derated ion thruster development status

    Patterson, Michael J. / Haag, Thomas W. / Williams, George J., Jr. | NTRS | 1993


    Low-Isp derated ion thruster operation

    Patterson, Michael J. | NTRS | 1992