Accession Number:

ADA183635

Title:

Multi-Stage Plasma Thruster.

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Nov 83-Apr 85,

Corporate Author:

R AND D ASSOCIATES ALEXANDRIA VA WASHINGTON RESEARCH LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Turchi,Peter

Report Date:

1987-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

66.0

Abstract:

Multi stage plasma propulsion offers the opportunity to extend electric population capabilities as space power levels develop. In this effort, the contractor considered an electric propulsion development strategy in which a family of thrusters was based on multiple stages of electromagnetic acceleration using the Teflon pulsed plasma thruster as the initial stage. Experimental tests explored three multi stage thruster configurations. The contractor concluded that multi stage can match mission power levels and transfer times.

Descriptors:

• *PLASMA ENGINES
• EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
• POWER LEVELS
• SPACE SYSTEMS
• TRANSFER
• ACCELERATION
• ELECTROMAGNETISM
• PULSES
• TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE RESINS
• THRUSTERS
• PULSE TRAINS

Subject Categories:

• Electric and Ion Propulsion

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE