A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF ELECTROSTATIC PROPULSION ENGINES

Abstract

The operating characteristics of three types of atomic ion engines and three types of colloidal ion engines are evaluated. The major theoretical factors which will limit payload capacity are brought out for each type of engine. Total propulsion system masses for the production of ten pounds of thrust for 2,000 hours and for 10,000 hours of engine operation are compared. Examination of the payload capacities of the various engines for several lunar and planetary missions shows that the colloidal ion engines have a superior payload capacity for lunar missions and may be competitive with atomic ion engines for planetary missions. The specific mass of the power supply system is shown to be a much more dominant factor in determining the payload capacities of the atomic ion engines than for the colloidal ion engines.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0613047

Entities

People

  • A. L. Cox

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charge Carriers
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Electric Engines
  • Electric Power
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Engineering
  • Geometry
  • Heat Energy
  • Ion Engines
  • Ion Propulsion
  • Particles
  • Power Supplies
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster