Architecture and Initial Results of a 3-D Plasma Simulation System for Spacecraft-Thruster Interaction Assessment
Abstract
A 3-D Plasma Interaction Modeling System (PIMS) is being developed to predict the interaction of electric propulsion plumes with surfaces. The system is designed to be flexible, usable, and expandable, allowing users to define and mesh surfaces with their choice of off-the-shelf 3-D solid modeling packages. These surfaces are then loaded into PIMS, which performs plasma operations based on user commands. Functional PIMS modules will range from simple (prescribed plume field) to complex (full PIC-DSMC) depending on the user's request. PIMS will compute surface interaction parameters such as ion flux, ion energy, sputtering, and re-deposition. Development of PIMS to this date has progressed to include modules that a) import and superimpose prescribed plume distributions, and b) perform ray tracing of flux from point sources. This paper presents some of the first PIMS results -- sputtering predictions on a spacecraft and in a vacuum chamber due to a Hall-effect thruster.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 13, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410835
Entities
People
- D. B. Vangilder
- D. E. Kirtley
- J. M. Fife
- M. R. Gibbons
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory