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Ion Beam Characterization of a NEXT Multi-Thruster Array PlumeThree operational, engineering model, 7-kW ion thrusters and one instrumented, dormant thruster were installed in a cluster array in a large vacuum facility at NASA Glenn Research Center. A series of engineering demonstration tests were performed to evaluate the system performance impacts of operating various multiple-thruster configurations in an array. A suite of diagnostics was installed to investigate multiple-thruster operation impact on thruster performance and life, thermal interactions, and alternative system modes and architectures. The ion beam characterization included measuring ion current density profiles and ion energy distribution with Faraday probes and retarding potential analyzers, respectively. This report focuses on the ion beam characterization during single thruster operation, multiple thruster operation, various neutralizer configurations, and thruster gimbal articulation. Comparison of beam profiles collected during single and multiple thruster operation demonstrated the utility of superimposing single engine beam profiles to predict multi-thruster beam profiles. High energy ions were detected in the region 45 off the thruster axis, independent of thruster power, number of operating thrusters, and facility background pressure, which indicated that the most probable ion energy was not effected by multiple-thruster operation. There were no significant changes to the beam profiles collected during alternate thruster-neutralizer configurations, therefore supporting the viability of alternative system configuration options. Articulation of one thruster shifted its beam profile, whereas the beam profile of a stationary thruster nearby did not change, indicating there were no beam interactions which was consistent with the behavior of a collisionless beam expansion.
Document ID
20060056314
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Pencil, Eric J. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Foster, John E. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Patterson, Michael J. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Diaz, Esther M. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Van Noord, Jonathan L. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
McEwen, Heather K. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2006
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
E-15700
NASA/TM-2006-214423
AIAA Paper-2006-5182
Meeting Information
Meeting: 42nd Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Location: Sacramento, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 9, 2006
End Date: July 12, 2006
Sponsors: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society for Engineering Education
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 346620.04.05.03.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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