INVESTIGATION OF A 10-CENTIMETER-DIAMETER ELECTRON-BOMBARDMENT ION ROCKET
Abstract
An improved 10-cm-diam electron-bombardment ion rocket capable of operation in performance regimes above 10 millipounds of thrust was studied. The source had been operated above 10 millipounds of thrust continuously for 10 hr at a specific impulse of 6500 seconds. The engine was also operated for 150 hr at 4 millipounds of thrust. The source has produced 0.5-ampere beam currents at as low an impulse as 5900 sec, yielding a calculated thrust of 13 millipounds. Accelerator impingement currents have been on the order of 1% of the beam current. Mercury was used as a propellant. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0270288
Entities
People
- Paul D. Reader
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration