NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
High vacuum facility for hydrazine thruster testingAn ongoing modification is described of a large vacuum chamber to accommodate the ignition of an arcjet hydrazine thruster while maintaining a vacuum level of 1 x 10(exp -5) torr or less. The vacuum facility consists of a 20 ft stainless steel vacuum tank with an internal LN2 shroud, four 35 in. cryopumps and an 8 in. turbopump. To maintain a vacuum level of 1 x 10(exp -5) torr or less, 900 sq ft of liquid helium (LHe) shroud surface was installed to maintain the vacuum level and pumping requirements. A vacuum level of 1 x 10(exp -5) torr or less will allow the hydrazine thrust to exit the thruster nozzle and radiate into a space type environment so that the plume flow field can be analyzed and compared to the analytical model density distribution profile. Some other arcjet thruster characteristics measured are the electromagnetic interference (EMI) and exhaust contamination. This data is used to evaluate if the arcjet thruster with its high specific impulse in comparison to current chemical propulsion thruster can be used for the next generation of communication satellites.
Document ID
19910009821
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Neary, Patrick F.
(TRW Defense and Space Systems Group Redondo Beach, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, 16th Space Simulation Conference Confirming Spaceworthiness Into the Next Millennium
Subject Category
Ground Support Systems And Facilities (Space)
Accession Number
91N19134
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available