Mechanisms of Magnetoplasmadynamic Arc Jet Acceleration Processes
Abstract
An extensive series of tests have been conducted in a large (10' x 20') vacuum chamber to investigate the feasibility of using the ambient air at a pressure level of 6 x 10 to the (-7) power to 10 to the (-4) power Torr as propellant in a Space Electric Ram Jet. During most of the tests, a low current discharge (.5 - .05 amps) was used, however performance was also measured under pulsed (high current) conditions. Unambiguous time of flight measurements indicate an exhaust beam velocity of about 40,000 ma/sec under pulsed operation. Beam ion flux rates of up to several milliamperes per square meter were detected 14 ft from the engine when the discharge operated in the low current mode and probe measurements indicated that they had energies of close to 1000 volts (exhaust velocities about equal 100,000 m/sec). No erosion could be detected on the electrodes after more than 300 firings over a period of 3 days.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 18, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA015421
Entities
People
- Adriano Ducati
- Gordon L. Cann