HIGH SPECIFIC IMPULSE THERMAL ARC JET THRUSTOR TECHNOLOGY
Abstract
The MPD arcjet program at EOS is aimed at developing the technology of electric thrustors capable of performing efficiently (40-60% conversion of electrical power to beam power) for extended periods of time (up to 100 hours) in the specific impulse range of 1500-5000 seconds, at power levels of 10-100 kilowatts. The analytical results are presented for each of the significant mechanisms. Progress in the experimental portion of the program has included the following: The thrustor has been operated continuously for 100 hours with no significant electrode erosion; A novel gas-actuated feed system which had been designed during the previous reporting period was fabricated, tested and calibrated; Test runs were made using ammonia as propellant; Tests with a three- magnet configuration resulted in performance inferior to that obtained with the two-magnet thrustor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0806949
Entities
People
- C. B. Shepard
- G. L. Cann
- R. L. Harder
- S. T. Nelson
Organizations
- Xerox