Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
Recent testing of the NASA Lewis Research Center/Hughes 8-cm Engineering Model Thruster (EMT) and Power Processing Unit has centered on two primary areas of investigation: integration of porous-tungsten dispenser-type cathode inserts into the thruster (replacing previous inserts of rolled-tantalum-foil design) and characterization of thruster operation with the new inserts. Characterization testing of the EMT and of the new cathodes has demonstrated acceptable thruster performance and cathode ignition parameters; the only perceived change in thuster performance has been that a small amount of cathode heater power is required to maintain nominal keeper voltages. Thermal modeling of the cathode structures has facilitated design revisions which reduce this power requirement.
Keywords:
SPACECRAFT PROPULSION AND POWER
Type:
AIAA PAPER 79-2103
,
International Electric Propulsion Conference; Oct 30, 1979 - Nov 01, 1979; Princeton, NJ
Format:
text
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