Performance and Long Duration Test of a 30 kw Thermal Arcjet Engine.
Abstract
The objective of this effort was to evaluate the lifetime and performance of a 30-kWe constricted arc ammonia arcjet. This engine was based on a design developed by Avco Corporation in 1963 that delivered 978 seconds of specific impulse with ammonia during a 50-hour test. After 573 hours of operation, a short circuit between the cathode and anode of JPL's thruster forced the life test to end. Throughout the 573-hour test, the thruster operated at 24.9 kWe, delivering 2.29 N (0.15 lbs) of thrust, 865 seconds of specific impulse, and 37% efficiency. Although the lifetime of JPL's thruster fell short of AFAL's original 1500-hour goal for the effort, the arcjet demonstrated a duration of over eleven times the lifetime of the 1963 Avco arcjet. Further, the demonstrated lifetime of 576 hours is adequate for many orbit raising missions. Keywords: Electric propulsion; Electrothermal arcjet, Space propulsion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA190962
Entities
People
- D. Q. King
- J. R. Brophy
- T. J. Pivirotto
- W. D. Deininger
Organizations
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory