Accession Number:

ADA190307

Title:

Fundamental Studies on MPD Thrusters.

Descriptive Note:

Final progress rept. Apr 85-Dec 86,

Corporate Author:

CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIV PITTSBURGH PA DEPT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Personal Author(s):

• Lawless, J. L.

Report Date:

1987-09-02

Pagination or Media Count:

258.0

Abstract:

A theory has been developed which predicts onset and erosion in MPD thrusters. The theory predicts onset currents which are in quantitative agreement with experiment. Erosion rates are predicted for a steady-state hot cathode thruster. This theory is the first to model the viscous and thermal electrode boundary layers in MPD thrusters. Stability criteria for diffuse-mode electrode current conduction have been found. Keywords Two temperature flow Electrode plasma interactions, Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters.

Descriptors:

• *THRUSTERS
• *PLASMA ENGINES
• *MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
• AGREEMENTS
• BOUNDARY LAYER
• CATHODES
• ELECTRODES
• HIGH TEMPERATURE
• INTERACTIONS
• PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• RATES
• STABILITY
• STEADY STATE
• TEMPERATURE
• THERMAL BOUNDARY LAYER
• VISCOSITY
• PLASMA SHEATHS

Subject Categories:

• Electric and Ion Propulsion

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE