Abstract: The paper discusses the unique design and construction of the vacuum, cooling, power and propellant systems of the arcjet experimental facility. An overview of current and future arcjet thruster development is presented. The thrusters discussed are 10-30 kilowatts in power, use ammonia or hydrogen as propellant, and are either radiation cooled or regeneratively cooled. Extensive calibrations have been conducted on the mass flow system. The uncertainties have been quantified over a large range of mass flows and propellants. The vacuum system is quantified for actual pumping capability. Power system bas been analyzed for voltage and current output stability and ripple. The thruster's Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) has been characterized to support a space experiment with arcjets. This is the only facility in the world developing and characterizing high power arcjets for the use in orbit transfer.
| Limitations: |
 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE |
| Description: |
Conference paper |
| Pages: |
8 |
| Report Date: |
SEP 1992 |
| Report Number: |
A047914 |
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