The current status of research and development programs on electrostatic thrusters is reviewed. Current programs that utilize mercury electron-bombardment thrusters range from 5- to 30-cm in diameter. Recent progress on the 5-cm thruster has emphasized durability, with accelerator time exceeding 6300 hours and total time on the rest of the thruster exceeding 8300 hours. Recent progress on the 30-cm thruster has been outstanding in dished-grid accelerator systems. Ion beams up to 5 amperes have been obtained for short periods with 1000 volts net accelerating potential difference. The cesium electron-bombardment and cesium contact programs are also described.


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    Title :

    Electrostatic thrusters.


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Joint Propulsion Specialist Conference ; 1972 ; New Orleans, LA, US


    Publication date :

    1972-11-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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