A 2000-hour durability test of a modified Hughes SIT-5 (Structurally Integrated Thruster, 5 cm) was conducted at the Lewis Research Center. The thruster operated with a translating screen thrust vector grid locked in position for 10 deg beam deflection. The test was essentially continuous except for seven stoppages of beam current. The neutralizer keeper voltage and thruster floating potential increased slightly with time. Performance profiles and maps of thruster characteristics were obtained at 453 and 2023 hours into the test. Overall efficiency was nearly constant at 31 - 32 percent, and operating characteristics were similar at both points in the test. A post-shutdown inspection showed negligible erosion damage to the accelerator and cathode baffle. Some erosion was found in the aperture of the neutralizer cathode. (Author)


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    A 200-Hour Durability Test of a 5-Centimeter Diameter Mercury Bombardment Ion Thruster


    Contributors:
    S. Nakanishi (author) / R. C. Finke (author)

    Publication date :

    1972


    Size :

    47 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English