Extended life and performance test of a low-power arcjet

Autor:	Thomas W. Haag, Francis M. Curran
Rok vydání:	1992
Předmět:	Propellant Materials science Steady state Spacecraft propulsion business.industry Nuclear engineering Electrical engineering Aerospace Engineering Cathode law.invention Anode Arcjet rocket Space and Planetary Science law Service life Specific impulse business
Zdroj:	Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. 29:444-452
ISSN:	1533-6794 0022-4650
DOI:	10.2514/3.25484
Popis:	An automated, cyclic life test was performed to demonstrate the reliability and endurance of a low power dc cycle arcjet thruster. Over 1000 hr and 500 on-off cycles were accumulated which would represent the requirements for about 15 years of on-orbit lifetime. A hydrogen/nitrogen propellant mixture was used to simulate decomposed hydrazine propellant and the power level was nominally 1.2 kW after the burn-in period. The arcjet operated in a very repeatable fashion from cycle to cycle. The steady state voltage increased by approximately 6 V over the first 300 hr, and then by only 3 V through the remainder of the test. Thrust measurements taken before, during, and after the test verified that the thruster performed in a consistent fashion throughout the tests at a specific impulse of 450 to 460 sec. Post-test component evaluation revealed limited erosion on both the anode and cathode. Other thruster components, including graphite seals, appeared undamaged.
Databáze:	OpenAIRE
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