Assessment of the Plume Characteristics of a Miniaturized Pulsed Plasma Thurster

Assessment of the Plume Characteristics of a Miniaturized Pulsed Plasma Thurster
Author: Richard Henry [Verfasser] Sypniewski Jr.
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2016
Genre:
ISBN:

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Pulsed Plasma Thrusters are one of the most simplistic constructions in the electric propulsion family and are categorized among the electromagnetic class of thrusters. This classification of electromagnetics deals with the underlying physics of the pulsed plasma thruster and is much more complex with less understanding then other electric propulsion systems. However, due to the mechanical simplicity, wide range of specific impulses, non-toxic propellant, and the numerous applications, these thrusters are an ideal candidate for integrating into CubeSats. CubeSats are nanosatellites that are designed in three typical standard sizes (1 Unit, 2 Unit, and 3 Unit), each with standardized footprints. The smallest volumetric dimensions are the 1 Unit CubeSat, which is 10 x 10 x 10 cm. The volume and mass of CubeSats are quite small and therefore the miniaturization of the Pulsed Plasma Thruster is necessary to adhere to these constraints. Current research has shown that when miniaturization of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster there is a tendency for the thruster to work and perform in the electrothermal regime rather than in the electromagnetic one. Understanding which regime the thruster is operating in is critical for understanding how to optimize the design. For example, a thruster operates with higher efficiencies in the electromagnetic regime because there is much less loss from Ohmic heating. Preliminary testing of the Micro-Pulsed Plasma Thruster design was performed by the research company called FOTEC and determined a thruster chamber design. To understand thoroughly the Micro-Pulsed Plasma Thruster, characterization of the thruster and its plume will be conducted experimentally. This characterization will determine parametric features such as current/voltage waveform, electron temperatures, electron densities, and exhaust velocities. Performing the initial characterizations will give insight into the Micro-Pulsed Plasma Thruster and will provide further understanding into the regime that the thruster is operating in. The characteristics that resulted from this thesis concluded that the Micro-Pulsed Plasma Thruster is operating in the electromagnetic regime. This was concluded based on several characteristic traits that only conclude for electromagnetic acceleration mechanisms. These were that the peak currents reached were approximately 5,000 A and the exhaust velocity was in the 50 km/sec range. Further information was measured and the total resistance and inductance was calculated to be 13 m and 24 nH. Details on this information and how it was calculated is discussed in this thesis.*****Pulsed Plasma Thrusters are one of the most simplistic constructions in the electric propulsion family and are categorized among the electromagnetic class of thrusters. This classification of electromagnetics deals with the underlying physics of the pulsed plasma thruster and is much more complex with less understanding then other electric propulsion systems. However, due to the mechanical simplicity, wide range of specific impulses, non-toxic propellant, and the numerous applications, these thrusters are an ideal candidate for integrating into CubeSats. CubeSats are nanosatellites that are designed in three typical standard sizes (1 Unit, 2 Unit, and 3 Unit), each with standardized footprints. The smallest volumetric dimensions are the 1 Unit CubeSat, which is 10 x 10 x 10 cm. The volume and mass of CubeSats are quite small and therefore the miniaturization of the Pulsed Plasma Thruster is necessary to adhere to these constraints. Current research has shown that when miniaturization of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster there is a tendency for the thruster to work and perform in the electrothermal regime rather than in the electromagnetic one. Understanding which regime the thruster is operating in is critical for understanding how to optimize the design. For example, a thruster operates with higher efficiencies in the electromagne

Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion

Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion
Author: Dan M. Goebel
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 528
Release: 2008-12-22
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0470436263

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Throughout most of the twentieth century, electric propulsion was considered the technology of the future. Now, the future has arrived. This important new book explains the fundamentals of electric propulsion for spacecraft and describes in detail the physics and characteristics of the two major electric thrusters in use today, ion and Hall thrusters. The authors provide an introduction to plasma physics in order to allow readers to understand the models and derivations used in determining electric thruster performance. They then go on to present detailed explanations of: Thruster principles Ion thruster plasma generators and accelerator grids Hollow cathodes Hall thrusters Ion and Hall thruster plumes Flight ion and Hall thrusters Based largely on research and development performed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and complemented with scores of tables, figures, homework problems, and references, Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion: Ion and Hall Thrusters is an indispensable textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to enter the aerospace industry. It also serves as an equally valuable resource for professional engineers already at work in the field.

A Preliminary Investigation of Hall Thruster Technology

A Preliminary Investigation of Hall Thruster Technology
Author: National Aeronautics and Space Adm Nasa
Publisher:
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2018-10-21
Genre:
ISBN: 9781729060841

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A three-year NASA/BMDO-sponsored experimental program to conduct performance and plume plasma property measurements on two Russian Stationary Plasma Thrusters (SPTs) has been completed. The program utilized experimental facilitates at the University of Michigan's Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL). The main features of the proposed effort were as follows: (1) Characterized Hall thruster (and arcjet) performance by measuring ion exhaust velocity with probes at various thruster conditions; (2) Used a variety of probe diagnostics in the thruster plume to measure plasma properties and flow properties including T(sub e) and n(sub e) ion current density and ion energy distribution, and electric fields by mapping plasma potential; (3) Used emission spectroscopy to identify species within the plume and to measure electron temperatures. A key and unique feature of our research was our collaboration with Russian Hall thruster researcher Dr. Sergey A Khartov, Deputy Dean of International Relations at the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI). His activities in this program included consulting on and participation in research at PEPL through use of a MAI-built SPT and ion energy probe. Gallimore, Alec D. Glenn Research Center NAG3-1504...