The use of electric propulsion to carry out NASA in-space propulsion demands has been increasing. A big part of fulfilling this demand is the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) for NASA's Lunar Gateway. When built, the PPE will have the largest electric propulsion system to ever fly on a spacecraft, which brings new and difficult challenges. The environment created by the electric propulsion system during on-orbit operation of the thrusters has been shown to be different than those measured during operation in terrestrial vacuum facilities. Understanding the on-orbit environment created by the thrusters and its impacts on the spacecraft is the goal of the Plasma Diagnostic Package (PDP). The PDP is a sensor package, which is being developed by NASA GRC (Glenn Research Center), to fly on the PPE. The PDP will measure different aspects of the thruster plume in order to develop higher fidelity modeling of EP (Electric Power) systems. In order to capture quality measurements of the plume the PDP will need to install sensors in close proximity of it. This poses several unique thermal design challenges. Some of these challenges include: the long duration exposure to plume induced heating, the effects of plume induced erosion and sputter deposition on thermal control surfaces, and the extreme environments of a cis-lunar orbit. This paper looks to define the thermal challenges, explain modeling techniques, and offer design solutions for unique challenges of the PDP mission.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Thermal Design Challenges for In-Flight Exposure to an Electric Propulsion Plasma Plume Environment


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Thermal & Fluids Analysis Workshop (TFAWS 2019) ; 2019 ; Hampton, VA, United States


    Publication date :

    2019-08-26


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Performance of Thermal Plume in Solar Thermal-Electric Propulsion System

    Nguyen, D. X. / Nam, M. K. / Tabibi, B. M. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997


    Performance of thermal plume in solar thermal-electric propulsion system

    Nguyen, Dung / Nam, Matthew / Tabibi, Bagher et al. | AIAA | 1997


    Interaction between Plasma Plume of Electric Propulsion and Spacecraft Communication

    Onodera, N. / Takegahara, H. / Funaki, I. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999


    Plume Measurement of Plasma Propulsion System

    Noutsuka, T. / Takao, Y. / Hida, T. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1999