Changes to the ion thruster used in the UK-10 rare gas electric propulsion system, originally specified for a thrust level of 10 mN, are discussed. With the trend towards larger spacecraft and longer spacecraft lifetime such a relatively low thrust is no longer appropriate to the stationkeeping requirements. Consequently, the thrust limits of an engineering model thruster, designated T4A, were investigated. No modifications were made to the thruster during these high thrust tests. The maximum thrust level achieved is over 70 mN. Detailed characterization of the thermal stability and performance were carried out at 25 mN (the present thrust level specification) and at 40 mN (of interest to a range of more advanced missions). The thruster operation at these elevated thrust levels is described.
High Thrust Operation of the UK-10 Rare Gas Ion Thruster (T4a)
1988
6 pages
Report
No indication
English
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