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Advanced ion thruster and electrochemical launcher research
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Wilbur, P. J. |
| Copyright Year | 1983 |
| Description | The theoretical model of orificed hollow cathode operation predicted experimentally observed cathode performance with reasonable accuracy. The deflection and divergence characteristics of ion beamlets emanating from a two grid optics system as a function of the relative offset of screen and accel grids hole axes were described. Ion currents associated with discharge chamber operation were controlled to improve ion thruster performance markedly. Limitations imposed by basic physical laws on reductions in screen grid hole size and grid spacing for ion optics systems were described. The influence of stray magnetic fields in the vicinity of a neutralizer on the performance of that neutralizer was demonstrated. The ion current density extracted from a thruster was enhanced by injecting electrons into the region between its ion accelerating grids. Theoretical analysis of the electrothermal ramjet concept of launching space bound payloads at high acceleration levels is described. The operation of this system is broken down into two phases. In the light gas gun phase the payload is accelerated to the velocity at which the ramjet phase can commence. Preliminary models of operation are examined and shown to yield overall energy efficiences for a typical Earth escape launch of 60 to 70%. When shock losses are incorporated these efficiencies are still observed to remain at the relatively high values of 40 to 50%. |
| File Size | 5622564 |
| Page Count | 151 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19830011538 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t0tr0r346 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1983-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Spacecraft Propulsion And Power Beam Injection Hollow Cathodes Ramjet Engines Divergence Deflection Spacecraft Launching Ion Beams Escape Velocity Ion Density Concentration Light Gas Guns Mathematical Models Magnetic Fields Payloads Energy Conversion Efficiency Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
