Electric propulsion (EP) applications being considered include: orbit insertion, orbit repositioning, station keeping, and elusive maneuvering. Typically, 1 to 5 kW are available for EP. A class of thrusters, the Hall-effect thrusters, is extensively researched, developed and flown by Russia. These thrusters, using xenon propellant, perform reliably, e.g., at 1.35 kW, 600 s specific impulse, 50 percent efficiency and greater than 2000 hr life. This specific impulse and efficiency combination is superior to the present arcjets for several Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) applications. Three versions of the Hall thrusters are part of the experimental evaluation. Since today's goals are within reach of available thrusters and power sources, emphasis is being placed on such topics as: thruster lifetime, spacecraft interactions, electromagnetic interference, and erosion product deposition. Facilities in U.S. laboratories are being specially configured to achieve these goals.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    BMDO electric space-propulsion program


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    AIAA, SAE, ASME, and ASEE, Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit ; 1993 ; Monterey, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    1993-06-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    BMDO electric space-propulsion program

    CAVENY, LEONARD / CURRAN, FRANCIS / BROPHY, JOHN | AIAA | 1993


    BMDO Photovoltaics Program Overview

    L. H. Caveny / D. M. Allen | NTIS | 1994



    BMDO photovoltaics program overview

    Caveny, Leonard H. / Allen, Douglas M. | NTRS | 1994


    The BMDO Thruster-on-a-Pallet Program

    Caveny, Leonard H. / Curran, Francis M. / Sankovic, John M. et al. | NTRS | 1995