Using a Gatling-Gun Configured Micro Pulsed Plasma Thruster as a Means to Control Micro Satellites with Extreme Precision

Abstract

Micro-Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (muPPT) are becoming increasingly attractive for their low power consumption and moderately high specific impulse from 800-1000s. The Gatling Gun micro-Pulsed Plasma Thruster (GG-muPPT) is a new device offering reduced mass and higher thrust than single muPPTs in precise pointing and orbit maintenance applications. The performance of muPPTs depends on frequency and applied voltage/power levels. A variation of these input parameters and effects on operation and performance of this thruster system will be the focus of this research. Contamination aspects will also be considered, since the buildup of carbon results in decreased life for these thrusters. The goal is to match the frequency and power input to avoid this operating condition.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA540037

Entities

People

  • Lee I. Watson

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Energy Consumption
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Machine Guns
  • Measurement
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Microsatellites
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Pulsed Power
  • Small Satellites
  • Spacecraft
  • Thrust
  • Thrusters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster