Accession Number:

ADA564055

Title:

Thrust and Efficiency Performance of the Microcavity Discharge Thruster

Descriptive Note:

Final technical rept. 1 Mar 2010-28 Feb 2011

Corporate Author:

ILLINOIS UNIV AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Personal Author(s):

• Burton, Rodney L.
• Eden, J. G.
• Raja, Laxminarayan L.
• Park, Sung-Jin
• Laystrom-Woodard, Julia
• de Chadenedes, Mark

Report Date:

2011-05-31

Pagination or Media Count:

71.0

Abstract:

This work has focused on the potential of microcavity discharge devices to serve in an electrothermal thruster role, especially in the case of nanosatellite propulsion. An MCD device concentrates a capacitive electric field 107 Vm inside the cavity, initiating plasma breakdowns, and increasing the propellant gas temperature. MCD thrust tests were performed on a compact thrust stand and indicated that an integral micronozzle produced a thrust coefficient large enough to be effective from an efficiency standpoint. Paschen minimum breakdown tests provided a practical limit on the line pressure used in testing and a rough system-level estimate of the voltages required to make optimal use of the thruster. Heating and thermal efficiency testing indicated the MCD thruster was capable of a high degree of heating and moderate thermal efficiency, up to To 555 K and 22. Increased nitrogen content in the propellant gas generally increased the degree of heating and efficiency observed, due to rotational and vibrational excited states, and location of discharge heating away from the cavity walls, reducing wall heat losses and increasing the thermal efficiency.

Descriptors:

• *THRUSTERS
• CAVITIES
• HEAT LOSS
• NITROGEN
• PROPULSION SYSTEMS
• THERMAL PROPERTIES
• THERMOELECTRIC POWER GENERATION
• THRUST
• VIBRATION
• VOLTAGE

Subject Categories:

• Jet and Gas Turbine Engines

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE