Accession Number:

ADA595587

Title:

Eight Kilowatt Hall Thruster System Characterization

Descriptive Note:

Conference paper

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB EDWARDS AFB CA

Personal Author(s):

• Szabo, James
• Pote, Bruce
• Byrne, Lawrence
• Paintal, Surjeet
• Hruby, Vlad
• Tedrake, Rachel
• Kolencik, George
• Freeman, Chas
• Gatsonis, Nikolaos

Report Date:

2013-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

14.0

Abstract:

A nominal 8-kW Hall thruster system was developed for high power spacecraft applications. This thruster is supported by a 1.3 cm hollow cathode. Performance was measured directly at conditions representative of the space environment, bringing the Technology Readiness Level TRL to 5. At nominal conditions, the thruster delivers half a Newton of thrust at 8-kW with a specific impulse of greater 1900 s. Deep throttling capabilities were demonstrated. Performance and throttling curves are presented. Data were taken with xenon, krypton, and iodine. Details of the thruster and system components are also presented.

Descriptors:

• *HALL THRUSTERS
• *SPACECRAFT
• CATHODES
• OPERATIONAL READINESS
• SPACE ENVIRONMENTS
• SPECIFIC IMPULSE
• THROTTLING
• THRUSTERS

Subject Categories:

• Electric and Ion Propulsion
• Unmanned Spacecraft

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE