Accession Number:

AD0601837

Title:

ARC-OVER AND RAPID PUMPDOWN TESTS ON THE CESIUM CONTACT IONIZATION ENGINE FLIGHT TEST PAYLOAD.

Descriptive Note:

Rept. for 4-15 May 63,

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE AERO PROPULSION LAB WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OHIO

Personal Author(s):

• Mahefkey,Edward T.
• Johnson,Robert H.

Report Date:

1964-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

30.0

Abstract:

Flight profile simulation tests of a cesium ion engine flight test payload were conducted to investigate possible causes of the failure incurred in the first in-space flight test of the cesium ion engine. The engine package, composed of the engine and power conditioning equipment, was subjected to a series of flight pressure profile tests to determine the behavior of the package during launch. Steady state arc-over pressure tests were also made to ascertain the pressure at which high voltage gaseous breakdown would occur. The results of these tests proved that the engine package is a negligible outgassing source. The pressure at which steady state arc-over was experienced was shown to be relatively high, proving that any arc-over experienced in the flight test was not initiated by outgassing in the engine package. Author

Descriptors:

• *SPACE PROPULSION
• *ION ENGINES
• RELIABILITY
• PLASMA JETS
• CESIUM
• ELECTRIC ARCS
• FAILURE(MECHANICS)
• FLIGHT TESTING
• SIMULATION
• TEST EQUIPMENT
• CALIBRATION
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• VACUUM APPARATUS
• PAYLOAD

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE