NEXT Ion Propulsion System Risk Mitigation Tests in Support of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test MissionRisk mitigation tests have been conducted by the NASA Glenn Research Center and The Aerospace Corporation in support of the DART Mission. The tests focused on NEXT performance characterizations intended to ensure its operations and characteristics are compatible with the DART mission operations, and to assist in the definition of the propulsion system. Tests were performed at the Aerospace Corporation and they involved: flow sensitivity-analyses, steady-state performance characterizations, and measurements of thruster erosion. The tests also involved defining, demonstrating, verifying, and evaluating the start-up sequences and a beam current regulation algorithm consistent with DART mission requirements. It was found that NEXT thruster operations are compatible with the proposed relaxation of flow control ranges for ignition and for steady-state operation.
Document ID
20190029264
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Thomas, Robert E. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Patterson, Michael J. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Crofton, Mark W. (Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
John, Jeremy W. (Johns Hopkins Univ. Baltimore, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2019
Publication Date
August 19, 2019
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN70405Report Number: GRC-E-DAA-TN70405
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Country: United States
Start Date: August 19, 2019
End Date: August 22, 2019
Sponsors: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
IDRelationTitle20190032229See AlsoNEXT Ion Propulsion System Risk Mitigation Tests in Support of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test Mission20190032575See AlsoNEXT Ion Propulsion System Risk Mitigation Tests in Support of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test Mission