Download or read book Expanding the Capabilities of the Pulsed Plasma Thruster for In space and Atmospheric Operation written by Ian Kronheim Johnson and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Of all in-space propulsion systems to date, the Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) is unique in its simplicity and wide range of operational parameters. This study examined multiple uses of the thruster for in-space and atmospheric propulsion, as well as the creation of a CubeSat satellite and atmospheric airship as test beds for the thruster. The PPT was tested as a solid-propellant feed source for the High Power Helicon Thruster, a compact plasma source capable of generating order of magnitude higher plasma densities than comparable power level systems. Replacing the gaseous feed system reduced the thruster size and complexity, as well as allowing for extremely discrete discharges, minimizing the influence of wall effects. Teflon (C2F4) has been the traditional propellant for PPTs due to a high exhaust velocity and ability to ablate without surface modification over long durations. A number of alternative propellants, including minerals and metallics commonly found on asteroids, were tested for use with the PPT. Compounds with significant fractions of sulfur showed the highest performance increase, with specific thrusts double that of Teflon. A PPT with sulfur propellant designed for CubeSat operation, as well as the subsystems necessary for autonomous operation, was built and tested in the laboratory. The PPT was modified for use at atmospheric pressures where the impulse was well defined as a function of the discharge chamber volume, capacitor energy, and background pressure. To demonstrate that the air-breathing PPT was a viable concept the device was launched on two atmospheric balloon flights.
Download or read book Investigation of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Atmospheric Applications written by Manuel Azuara Rosales and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To date, the controlled access to terrestrial atmospheric altitudes of more than 20 km is limited with current technology. This is because at such altitudes, the background gas density is too low for conventional blade-based propellers to operate, and too high for most in-space electric propulsion systems. This research aims to investigate the Pulsed Plasma Thruster technology for atmospheric applications, at a background gas pressure of less than 50 Torr, corresponding to terrestrial atmospheric altitudes of more than 20 km. Because the system operates in a highly collisional regime, three acceleration mechanisms are identified, 1) due to ion-neutral collisions, 2) due to the J x B force, and 3) electrostatic acceleration. A theoretical model to obtain the thrust-to-power ratio of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster for atmospheric applications is presented and validated experimentally using a pendulum-based thrust stand, a quadruple Langmuir probe, and a B-dot probe. A proposed Air-Breathing Pulsed Plasma Thruster was investigated, and based on the experimental results, an analytical approach to determine whether the system can sustain an aircraft at the aforementioned altitudes is presented, and experimentally demonstrated through three in-field tests, consisting on launching in-house designed and built aircraft to the stratosphere using high-altitude burst balloons.
Download or read book Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion written by Dan M. Goebel and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2023-11-30 with total page 564 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion Understand the fundamental basis of spaceflight with this cutting-edge guide As spacecraft engineering continues to advance, so too do the propulsion methods by which human beings can seek out the stars. Ion thrusters and Hall thrusters have been the subject of considerable innovation in recent years, and spacecraft propulsion has never been more efficient. For professionals within and adjacent to spacecraft engineering, this is critical knowledge that can alter the future of space flight. Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion offers a thorough grounding in electric propulsion for spacecraft, particularly the features and mechanisms underlying Ion and Hall thrusters. Updated in the light of rapidly expanding knowledge, the second edition of this essential guide detailed coverage of thruster principles, plasma physics, and more. It reflects the historic output of the legendary Jet Propulsion Laboratory and promises to continue as a must-own volume for spacecraft engineering professionals. Readers of the second edition of Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion readers will also find: Extensive updates to chapters covering hollow cathodes and Hall thrusters, based on vigorous recent research New sections covering magnetic shielding, cathode plume instabilities, and more Figures and homework problems in each chapter to facilitate learning and retention Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion is an essential work for spacecraft engineers and researchers working in spacecraft propulsion and related fields, as well as graduate students in electric propulsion, aerospace science, and space science courses.
Download or read book To Mars and Beyond Fast written by Franklin Chang Díaz and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-06-03 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As advanced in-space propulsion moves from science fiction to reality, the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket, or VASIMR® engine, is a leading contender for making 'Mars in a month' a possibility. A paradigm shift in space transportation, this book is an in-depth and compelling story co-written by its inventor. It traces the riveting history of the development of the VASIMR® engine. This landmark technology is grounded in concepts of advanced plasma physics. It cross-pollinates ideas and disciplines to offer a new, practical, and sustainable solution for in-space transportation beyond low Earth orbit in the decades to come. Invented by the co-holder of the world’s spaceflight record, astronaut Franklin Chang Díaz, the VASIMR® engine is developed by Ad Astra Rocket Company in its Texas facilities with NASA as part of the NextSTEP VASIMR® partnership. With adequate funding, the first spaceflight of the VASIMR® engine is imminent. Plasma rockets feature exhaust velocities far above those achievable by conventional chemical rockets. The VASIMR® engine is the most advanced high-power plasma propulsion system operating in the world today and it may place long, fast interplanetary journeys withinour reach in the near future.
Download or read book Overview of Nasa s Pulsed Plasma Thruster Development Program written by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-06-21 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NASA's Pulsed Plasma Thruster Program consists of flight demonstration experiments, base research, and development efforts being conducted through a combination of in-house work, contracts, and collaborative programs. The program receives sponsorship from Energetics Project, the New Millennium Program, and the Small Business Innovative Research Program. The Energetics Project sponsors basic and fundamental research to increase thruster life, improve thruster performance, and reduce system mass. The New Millennium Program sponsors the in-orbit operation of the Pulsed Plasma Thruster experiment on the Earth Observing 1 spacecraft. The Small Business Innovative Research Program sponsors the development of innovative diamond-film capacitors, piezoelectric ignitors, and advanced fuels. Programmatic background, recent technical accomplishments, and future activities for each programmatic element are provided. Pencil, Eric J. and Kamhawi, Hani and Arrington, Lynn A. Glenn Research Center NASA/TM-2004-213291, AIAA Paper 2004-3455, E-14738
Download or read book Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion written by Dan M. Goebel and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2008-12-22 with total page 528 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout most of the twentieth century, electric propulsion was considered the technology of the future. Now, the future has arrived. This important new book explains the fundamentals of electric propulsion for spacecraft and describes in detail the physics and characteristics of the two major electric thrusters in use today, ion and Hall thrusters. The authors provide an introduction to plasma physics in order to allow readers to understand the models and derivations used in determining electric thruster performance. They then go on to present detailed explanations of: Thruster principles Ion thruster plasma generators and accelerator grids Hollow cathodes Hall thrusters Ion and Hall thruster plumes Flight ion and Hall thrusters Based largely on research and development performed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and complemented with scores of tables, figures, homework problems, and references, Fundamentals of Electric Propulsion: Ion and Hall Thrusters is an indispensable textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing to enter the aerospace industry. It also serves as an equally valuable resource for professional engineers already at work in the field.
Download or read book Pulsed Plasma Thruster Vibrations for Improved Mission Capabilities written by C. A. Scharlemann and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Physics of Electric Propulsion written by Robert G. Jahn and published by Courier Corporation. This book was released on 2006-05-26 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Literaturangaben. - Originally published: New York, NY : McGraw-Hill, 1968
Download or read book Multi Stage Plasma Thruster written by Peter Turchi and published by . This book was released on 1987 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Multi stage plasma propulsion offers the opportunity to extend electric population capabilities as space power levels develop. In this effort, the contractor considered an electric propulsion development strategy in which a family of thrusters was based on multiple stages of electromagnetic acceleration using the Teflon pulsed plasma thruster as the initial stage. Experimental tests explored three multi stage thruster configurations. The contractor concluded that multi stage can match mission power levels and transfer times.
Download or read book Progress in Development of Modeling Capabilities for a Micro pulsed Plasma Thruster written by Michael Keidar and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Evaluation of Pulsed Plasma Thruster Micropulsing written by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-06-21 with total page 30 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper evaluates the concept of pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) micropulsing. Micropulsing was a premise behind a power processing unit (PPU) and an energy storage unit (ESU) design that for certain mission profiles, it was advantageous to operate a PPT at lower energy but higher frequency rather than at a higher energy but lower frequency. This premise allows for reductions in the ESU volume and mass without paying a penalty in thrust. To complete the evaluation, an independent spark plug initiation unit, a high voltage power supply and a variety of mica foil capacitors at 2.6, 5, 10, and 20 capacitance were used to conduct a series of tests on a single PPT to map performance levels of thrust, impulse bit, efficiency and specific impulse over a comparable power range. Testing at NASA Glenn Research Center was conducted with breadboard PPT hardware. The test results showed that operating in the lower energy ESU micropulsing mode produced similar thrust levels to a higher energy ESU operating at high power level. Further testing however showed a reduction in specific impulse and efficiency when the smaller capacitances were used at the highest power levels. This would require more fuel mass for a mission that was predominately high power, potentially negating the ESU mass savings. Therefore, micropulsing is advantageous where most of a mission profile occurs at low power, but retains the ability to conduct high thrust maneuvers when necessary. Arrington, Lynn Glenn Research Center NASA/CR-2004-213209, AIAA Paper 2004-3458, E-14717
Download or read book Pulsed Plasma Thruster Technology for Small Satellite Missions written by and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book A Performance Comparison of Pulsed Plasma Thruster Electrode Configurations written by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-08-09 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pulsed plasma thrusters are currently planned on two small satellite missions and proposed for a third. In these missions, the pulsed plasma thruster's unique characteristics will be used variously to provide propulsive attitude control, orbit raising, translation, and precision positioning. Pulsed plasma thrusters are attractive for small satellite applications because they are essentially stand alone devices which eliminate the need for toxic and/or distributed propellant systems. Pulsed plasma thrusters also operate at low power and over a wide power range without loss of performance. As part of the technical development required for the noted missions, an experimental program to optimize performance with respect to electrode configuration was undertaken. One of the planned missions will use pulsed plasma thrusters for orbit raising requiring relatively high thrust and previously tested configurations did not provide this. Also, higher capacitor energies were tested than previously tried for this mission. Multiple configurations were tested and a final configuration was selected for flight hardware development. This paper describes the results of the electrode optimization in detail. Arrington, Lynn A. and Haag, Tom W. and Pencil, Eric J. and Meckel, Nicole J. Glenn Research Center NASA/TM-97-206305, E-11002, NAS 1.15:206305, IEPC-97-127 NAS3-27186; RTOP 632-1B-1B...
Download or read book Electron Temperature Effects on Pulsed Plasma Thruster Plume Expansion written by Nikos A. Gatsonis and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Pulsed Plasma Thrusters for Small Spacecraft Attitude Control written by and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Performance Characterization of Simulated Regoliths and Space Debris to Investigate the In situ Resource Utilization Capabilities of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster System written by Michael Siegel Wennerstrom and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 37 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A coaxial pulsed plasma thruster operating at 18 Joules per pulse was discharged over lunar regolith simulant, silica powder, powdered aluminum, and solid Polytetrafluoroethylene to evaluate their potential as minimally refined in-situ propellant resources on other planets or moons for electric propulsion. All the propellants ablated and their plumes were examined using high-speed imaging, spectroscopy, and a double Langmuir probe. Silica produced a greater spectral intensity than lunar regolith. Imaging revealed that micron sized radiating particles are ejected from the anode, cathode, and propellant surfaces with speeds of up to 60 m/s. The double Langmuir probe revealed that in-situ propellants may produce peak charge densities similar to PTFE. Slower populations of charged particles were observed after the initial discharge only in the powdered propellants. The probe also revealed a lower bound to the plasma exit velocity of 6.3 km/s for aluminum, 19.3 km/s for lunar simulant, 17.8 km/s for silicon dioxide, and 20.39 km/s for PTFE.
Download or read book Investigation of Thrust Mechanisms in a Water Fed Pulsed Plasma Thruster written by Carsten A. Scharlemann and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: Analytic models predict the possibility of extending the range of performance parameters of Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPT) by using propellants other than the traditionally used Teflon. A theoretical and experimental effort was initiated at The Ohio State University to investigate the use of alternative propellants for PPT. Analytical and numerical calculations (MACH2) indeed indicate a significant broadening of the obtainable range of specific impulse and thrust-to-power ratios when alternative propellants such as lithium or water are utilized. Consequently, in an effort to investigate changes in physical phenomena and thruster performance experimentally, a hybrid thruster was designed and built, facilitating the use of alternatively water or Teflon. The thruster design includes a unique water propellant feed system, allowing the supply of the water propellant without detrimentally affecting the inherent simplicity of the PPT system. ii The thruster operation and performance was investigated by several different diagnostic methods, including current and voltage measurements, Langmuir probes, and magnetic field probes. Furthermore, impact pressure measurements in the plume of the thruster allowed new insight into the plume structure and the accurate evaluation of impulse bits. Employment of the diagnostic methods for Teflon and water propellant enabled the unambigous identification of propellant related effects such as reduced electron temperature and higher exhaust velocites in the case of water propellant. The electromagnetic nature of the water thruster was clearly identified. For 30 J discharge energy, the water thruster requires only 5% of the mass bit of a Teflon thruster to produce an impulse bit 30% of the magnitude of the Teflon thruster, suggesting greatly increased propellant efficiencies. In agreement with the plasma diagnostic results, a specific impulse for the water thruster of up to 8000 s and efficiencies of up to 16% were evaluated.
