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The Effects of Magnetic Nozzle Configurations on Plasma ThrustersOver the course of eight years, the Ohio State University has performed research in support of electric propulsion development efforts at the NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH. This research has been largely devoted to plasma propulsion systems including MagnetoPlasmaDynamic (MPD) thrusters with externally-applied, solenoidal magnetic fields, hollow cathodes, and Pulsed Plasma Microthrusters (PPT's). Both experimental and theoretical work has been performed, as documented in four master's theses, two doctoral dissertations, and numerous technical papers. The present document is the final report for the grant period 5 December 1987 to 31 December 1995, and summarizes all activities. Detailed discussions of each area of activity are provided in appendices: Appendix 1 - Experimental studies of magnetic nozzle effects on plasma thrusters; Appendix 2 - Numerical modeling of applied-field MPD thrusters; Appendix 3 - Theoretical and experimental studies of hollow cathodes; and Appendix 4 -Theoretical, numerical and experimental studies of pulsed plasma thrusters. Especially notable results include the efficacy of using a solenoidal magnetic field downstream of a plasma thruster to collimate the exhaust flow, the development of a new understanding of applied-field MPD thrusters (based on experimentally-validated results from state-of-the art, numerical simulation) leading to predictions of improved performance, an experimentally-validated, first-principles model for orificed, hollow-cathode behavior, and the first time-dependent, two-dimensional calculations of ablation-fed, pulsed plasma thrusters.
Document ID
19970025151
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Turchi, P. J. (Ohio State Univ. Columbus, OH United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1997
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:202341
NASA-CR-202341
E-10721
Accession Number
97N24774
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: OSURF Proj. 723221
PROJECT: OSURF Proj. 720331
PROJECT: RTOP 242-70-01
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG3-843
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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