Effects and Control of Contamination from a Scaled MOL Attitude Control Thruster in a Tangential Orientation
Abstract
A test was conducted to determine the effects of contamination produced by a 1-lb-scaled Manned Orbital Laboratory thruster. The test required pulsing the 1-lb attitude control thruster in its tangential position and determining the effects of contaminates from the thruster impinging on optical and thermal control surface test specimens located on a flat plate exposed to the thruster exhaust plume. The thruster was pulsed with durations of 20, 50, 100, and 1000 msec with 1000 msec off time at altitudes above 400,000 ft. In situ reflectance, emittance, and transmittance measurements were made on optical and thermal control surface test specimens under vacuum conditions and at atmospheric pressure. Pretest and posttest laboratory measurements were also made. Significant contamination was produced for the pulse-mode operation, and the amount of contamination produced decreased as the thruster pulse duration increased. The heated shroud and changed thruster orientation relative to the plots were the most effective controls in reducing contamination on the plate; however, they did not eliminate the contaminates produced by the thruster in the plume.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0860371
Entities
People
- Dale K. Smith
- David W. Hill Jr.
Organizations
- Arnold Engineering Development Complex