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Status of 30 cm mercury ion thruster developmentTwo engineering model 30-cm ion thrusters have been assembled, calibrated, and qualification tested. This paper discusses the thruster design, performance, and power system. Test results include documentation of thrust losses due to doubly charged mercury ions and beam divergence by both direct thrust measurements and beam probes. Diagnostic vibration tests have led to improved designs of the thruster backplate structure, feed system, and harness. Thruster durability is being demonstrated over a thrust range of 97 to 113 mN at a specific impulse of about 2900 seconds. As of August 15, 1974, the thruster has successfully operated for over 4000 hours.
Document ID
19750026219
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sovey, J. S.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
King, H. J.
(Hughes Research Laboratories Malibu, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1974
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 74-1117
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Society of Automotive Engineers, Propulsion Conference
Location: San Diego, CA
Start Date: October 21, 1974
End Date: October 23, 1974
Sponsors: Society of Automotive Engineers, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Accession Number
75A10291
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-15523
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-16949
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-16528
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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