Two main cathodes have successfully completed 2800 and 1980 cycles and three neutralizers, 3928, 3050, and 2850 cycles in ongoing cycle life tests of flight-type cathode-isolator-vaporizer and neutralizer-isolator-vaporizer assemblies for the 4.45 mN 8-cm Hg ion thruster system. Each cycle included one hour of cathode operation. Starting and operating conditions simulated those expected in a typical auxiliary propulsion mission duty cycle. This paper presents the cycle life test results and also results of an insert comparison test which led to the selection of a rolled foil insert type for the 8-cm Engineering Model Thruster cathodes.


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    Title :

    Cycle life testing of 8-cm mercury ion thruster cathodes


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    International Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1976 ; Key Biscayne, FL


    Publication date :

    1976-11-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English