Experiments on a repetitively pulsed electrothermal thrusterThis paper presents experimental results from an investigation of a pulsed electrothermal (PET) thruster using water propellant. The PET thruster is operated on a calibrated thrust stand, and produces a thrust to power ratio of T/P = 0.07 + or - 0.01 N/kW. The discharge conditions are inferred from a numerical model which predicts pressure and temperature levels of 300-500 atm and 20,000 K, respectively. These values in turn correctly predict the measured values of impulse bit and discharge resistance. The inferred ideal exhaust velocity from these conditions is 17 km/sec, but the injection of water propellant produces a test tank background pressure of 10-20 Torr, which reduces the exhaust velocity to 14 km/sec. This value corresponds to a thrust efficiency of 54 + or - 7 percent when all experimental errors are taken into account.
Document ID
19870050743
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Burton, R. L. (GT-Devices Alexandria, VA, United States)
Fleischer, D. (GT-Devices Alexandria, VA, United States)
Goldstein, S. A. (GT-Devices Alexandria, VA, United States)
Tidman, D. A. (GT-Devices, Inc. Alexandria, VA, United States)