Publication Date:
2019-09-04
Description:
Disturbances to the ion engines thrust vector will cause a spacecraft to spin about its axis if left unmanaged. Spin about the yaw and pitch axis can be easily handled by a gimbal with enough authority. Spin about the roll axis however must be handled by additional thrusters or reaction wheels. In order to capitalize on the high efficiency of their thrusters, missions utilizing electric propulsion as primary propulsion generally include long periods of thrusting (several years). It is necessary to quantify and understand the ion thruster produced roll torque because it will define the amount of chemical propellant that must be carried or the lifetime and quantity of momentum wheels required for the mission. The roll torque produced by the NEXT ion thruster is analyzed through a combination of theoretical calculations and magnetic field simulations. Experimental techniques for measuring roll torque and past flight data are also discussed.
Keywords:
Spacecraft Propulsion and Power
Type:
GRC-E-DAA-TN70967
,
2019 AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum; Aug 19, 2019 - Sep 22, 2019; Indianapolis, IN; United States
Format:
application/pdf
