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Momentum Flux Measurements Using an Impact Thrust StandA device has been developed to measure the force caused by a beam of charged and neutral particles impacting a target plate. This device, an impact thrust stand, was developed to allow thrusters, during early stages of development, to be quickly and easily exhausted and compared to other thrusters. Since some thruster concepts are tested using laboratory equipment that is heavy and cumbersome, measuring the momentum flux of the particles in the plume can be much simpler than placing the entire thruster on a thrust stand. Conservation of momentum requires the momentum flux measured in the plume to be related to the thrust produced by the thruster. The impact thrust stand was designed to be placed in the plume of an electric thruster and has been tested and compared to the thrust measured from a Hall thruster placed on a pendulum thrust stand. Force measurements taken at several axial locations in the magnetic nozzle region of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket will be presented.
Document ID
20050009887
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Chavers, Greg
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Chang-Diaz, Franklin
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Breizman, Boris
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Bengtson, Roger
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Physical Society 46th Annual Meeting of the Division of Plasma Physics,
Location: Savannah, GA
Country: United States
Start Date: November 15, 2004
End Date: November 19, 2004
Sponsors: American Physical Society
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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