Operational summary of an electric propulsion long term test facilityAn automated test facility capable of simultaneously operating three 2.5 kW, 30-cm mercury ion thrusters and their power processors is described, along with a test program conducted for the documentation of thruster characteristics as a function of time. Facility controls are analog, with full redundancy, so that in the event of malfunction the facility automaticcally activates a backup mode and notifies an operator. Test data are recorded by a central data collection system and processed as daily averages. The facility has operated continuously for a period of 37 months, over which nine mercury ion thrusters and four power processor units accumulated a total of over 14,500 hours of thruster operating time.
Document ID
19830031260
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Trump, G. E. (Xerox Electro-Optical Systems Pasadena, CA, United States)
James, E. L. (Xerox Electro-Optical Systems Pasadena, CA, United States)
Bechtel, R. T. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1982
Subject Category
Ground Support Systems And Facilities (Space)
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 82-1903
Meeting Information
Meeting: Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, and DGLR, International Electric Propulsion Conference