NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Plasma Propulsion Testing Capabilities at Arnold Engineering Development CenterThis paper describes the results of a series of experiments aimed at quantifying the plasma propulsion testing capabilities of a 12-ft diameter vacuum facility (12V) at USAF-Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). Vacuum is maintained in the 12V facility by cryogenic panels lining the interior of the chamber. The pumping capability of these panels was shown to be great enough to support plasma thrusters operating at input electrical power >20 kW. In addition, a series of plasma diagnostics inside the chamber allowed for measurement of plasma parameters at different spatial locations, providing information regarding the chamber's effect on the global plasma thruster flowfield. The plasma source used in this experiment was Hall thruster manufactured by Busek Co. The thruster was operated at up to 20 kW steady-state power in both a lower current and higher current mode. The vacuum level in the chamber never rose above 9 x 10(exp -6) torr during the course of testing. Langmuir probes, ion flux probes, and Faraday cups were used to quantify the plasma parameters in the chamber. We present the results of these measurements and estimates of pumping speed based on the background pressure level and thruster propellant mass flow rate.
Document ID
20070031870
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Polzin, Kurt A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Dawbarn, Albert
(Aerospace Testing Alliance Arnold AFB, TN, United States)
Moeller, Trevor
(Tennessee Univ. Space Inst. Tullahoma, TN, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
May 14, 2007
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: 54th JPM/3rd LPS/2nd SPS/5th MSS Joint Meeting
Location: Denver, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: May 14, 2007
End Date: May 17, 2007
Sponsors: NASA Headquarters, Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available