Ion accelerator systems for high power 30-cm thruster operationAn investigation of two- and three-grid accelerator systems for high power ion thruster operation has been performed. Two-grid translation tests show that overcompensation of the 30-cm thruster SHAG (Small Hole Accelerator Grid) leads to a premature impingement limit. By better matching the SHAG grid set spacing to the 30-cm thruster radial plasma density variation and by incorporating grid compensation only sufficient to maintain grid hole axial alignment, it is shown that beam current gains as large as 50% can be realized. Three-grid translation tests performed with a simulated 30-cm thruster discharge chamber show that substantial beamlet steering can be reliably affected by decelerator grid translation only, at net-to-total voltage ratios as low as 0.05.
Document ID
19830031256
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Aston, G. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Electric Propulsion and Plasma Technology Group, Pasadena CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1982
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 82-1893
Meeting Information
Meeting: Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, and DGLR, International Electric Propulsion Conference