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NEXT Ion Thruster Thermal ModelAs the NEXT ion thruster progresses towards higher technology readiness, it is necessary to develop the tools that will support its implementation into flight programs. An ion thruster thermal model has been developed for the latest prototype model design to aid in predicting thruster temperatures for various missions. This model is comprised of two parts. The first part predicts the heating from the discharge plasma for various throttling points based on a discharge chamber plasma model. This model shows, as expected, that the internal heating is strongly correlated with the discharge power. Typically, the internal plasma heating increases with beam current and decreases slightly with beam voltage. The second is a model based on a finite difference thermal code used to predict the thruster temperatures. Both parts of the model will be described in this paper. This model has been correlated with a thermal development test on the NEXT Prototype Model 1 thruster with most predicted component temperatures within 5 to 10 C of test temperatures. The model indicates that heating, and hence current collection, is not based purely on the footprint of the magnet rings, but follows a 0.1:1:2:1 ratio for the cathode-to-conical-to-cylindrical-to-front magnet rings. This thermal model has also been used to predict the temperatures during the worst case mission profile that is anticipated for the thruster. The model predicts ample thermal margin for all of its components except the external cable harness under the hottest anticipated mission scenario. The external cable harness will be re-rated or replaced to meet the predicted environment.
Document ID
20110000534
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
VanNoord, Jonathan L. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2010
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-2010-216919
AIAA Paper 2007-5218
E-17495
Meeting Information
Meeting: 43rd Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Country: United States
Start Date: July 8, 2007
End Date: July 11, 2007
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society for Electrical Engineers
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 346620.04.05.03.13
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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