Development of Advanced Thermal ana Electric Propulsion (TEP) System

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Abstract:

On September 30, 1993, the Department of Physics at Hampton University was awarded a research instrumentation grant by the AFOSR for the development of an advanced Thermal and Electric Propulsion TEP system. Under this grant, a TEP test facility capable of providing 60-kW optical power for thermal propulsion and 30-kW electric power for the magnetoplasmadynamic MPD thruster has been constructed and installed. The TEP is literally of thermal and electric propulsion systems in a tandem order to take advantage of both systems. The TEP employs a high temperature thermal chamber for generation of an ionized propullant and a hollow cathode of the MPD as an expansion nozzle. Both feature alleviate the requirement of high voltage triggering and concentration of the current density on the solid cathode tip that commonly appear in the conventional MPD thrusters.

Author(s):
Tabibi, Bagher M.
Author Organization(s):
HAMPTON UNIV VA DEPT OF PHYSICS
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. 30 Sep 93-29 Sep 94
Pagination:
0050

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
AFOSR-TR-97-0443
Contract/Grant Number(s):
F49620-93-1-0611
Task Number(s):
AS
Project Number(s):
2308
Monitor Series:
TR-97-0443, AFOSR
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_4.7.2_Installation Services; JCA_4.7_Base and Installations Support; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts; JCA_5_Command and Control
Modernization Areas:
Quantum Science and Computing
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*ELECTRIC PROPULSION, *SPACE PROPULSION, *THERMAL PROPULSION SYSTEMS, CURRENT DENSITY, CATHODES, THRUSTERS, ELECTROSTATIC FIELDS, SPECIFIC IMPULSE, THERMOELECTRIC POWER GENERATION, MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS, THERMIONIC POWER GENERATION, ARC LAMPS, THRUST AUGMENTOR NOZZLES
Field(s)/Group(s):
Non-electrical Energy Conversion, Electric and Ion Propulsion, Rocket Engines
Keyword(s):
PE61102F
Report Date:
1994 Nov 25
Creation Date:
1997 Oct 15