Iodine as an Alternative Fuel for Electric Propulsion

Abstract

The objective of this proposal is iodine propellant effects on material compatibility, spacecraft/plume interactions, sputter erosion, erosion modeling and lifetime analyses, related to the Hall thrusters, for both cubesats and large satellites. Iodine when compared to Xenon, iodine volume will be 1/3 the volume of the comparable xenon, stored at moderate temperatures and pressures, and for a given power setting, more iodine will be ionized (increased current) and available to propel the vehicle. Increasing current flow directly increases thrust.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
May 02, 2017
Source ID
FA95501710204

Entities

People

  • Richard Branam

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • United States Air Force
  • University of Alabama

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster