Low power cylindrical Hall thruster performance and plume properties

Kevin D. Diamant, James E. Pollard, Yevgeny Raitses, Nathaniel J. Fisch

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

A low power cylindrical Hall thruster (CHT) and fully cylindrical Hall thruster (FCHT) both demonstrated plume divergence reductions of approximately 25% by running a keeper discharge along with the anode discharge. Thruster anode efficiencies varied from approximately 15 to 35% over input powers from 70 to 220 W. A 2 A keeper discharge resulted in an approximately 20% increase in anode specific impulse for both thrusters, and the FCHT specific impulse was, on average, 13% higher than that of the CHT. Both thrusters exhibited mass utilization efficiencies greater than 100% due to generation of multi-charged ions. The quantity of channel erosion products in the plume correlated with that of multi-charged ions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.
ISBN (Print)9781563479434
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Publication series

Name44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • General Energy
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

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