NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Thrust Stand Characterization of the NASA Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT)Direct thrust measurements have been made on the NASA Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) ion engine using a standard pendulum style thrust stand constructed specifically for this application. Values have been obtained for the full 40-level throttle table, as well as for a few off-nominal operating conditions. Measurements differ from the nominal NASA throttle table 10 (TT10) values by 3.1 percent at most, while at 30 throttle levels (TLs) the difference is less than 2.0 percent. When measurements are compared to TT10 values that have been corrected using ion beam current density and charge state data obtained at The Aerospace Corporation, they differ by 1.2 percent at most, and by 1.0 percent or less at 37 TLs. Thrust correction factors calculated from direct thrust measurements and from The Aerospace Corporation s plume data agree to within measurement error for all but one TL. Thrust due to cold flow and "discharge only" operation has been measured, and analytical expressions are presented which accurately predict thrust based on thermal thrust generation mechanisms.
Document ID
20100042402
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Diamant, Kevin D.
(Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Pollard, James E.
(Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Crofton, Mark W.
(Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Patterson, Michael J.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Soulas, George C.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2010
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2010-6701
E-17474
NASA/TM-2010-216895
Report Number: AIAA Paper 2010-6701
Report Number: E-17474
Report Number: NASA/TM-2010-216895
Meeting Information
Meeting: 46th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Location: Nashville, TN
Country: United States
Start Date: July 25, 2010
End Date: July 28, 2010
Sponsors: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Society for Electrical Engineers
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 346620.04.08.02.02.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available