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A 15,000-hour cyclic endurance test of an 8-centimeter-diameter electron bombardment mercury ion thrusterA laboratory model 8-cm thruster with improvements to minimize ion chamber erosion and peeling of sputtered metal was subjected to a cyclic endurance test for 15,040 hours and 460 restarts. A charted history of several thruster operating variables and off-normal events are shown in 600-hour segments at three points in the test. The transient behavior of these variables during a typical start-stop cycle is presented. Performance and operating characteristics were nearly constant throughout the test except for a change in the accelerator back-streaming limit. Findings of the post-test inspection confirmed most of the expected results. Charge-exchange ions caused normal accelerator grid erosion. The workability of the various design features have been substantiated, and attainable improvements in propellant utilization efficiency should significantly reduce accelerator erosion.
Document ID
19770030156
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Nakanishi, S.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1976
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 76-1022
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Electric Propulsion Conference
Location: Key Biscayne, FL
Start Date: November 14, 1976
End Date: November 17, 1976
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Accession Number
77A13008
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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