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Application of the NEXT Ion Thruster Lifetime Assessment to Thruster ThrottlingIon thrusters are low thrust, high specific impulse devices with typical operational lifetimes of 10,000 to 30,000 hr over a range of throttling conditions. The NEXT ion thruster is the latest generation of ion thrusters under development. The NEXT ion thruster currently has a qualification level propellant throughput requirement of 450 kg of xenon, which corresponds to roughly 22,000 hr of operation at the highest input power throttling point. This paper will provide a brief review the previous life assessment predictions for various throttling conditions. A further assessment will be presented examining the anticipated accelerator grid hole wall erosion and related electron backstreaming limit. The continued assessment of the NEXT ion thruster indicates that the first failure mode across the throttling range is expected to be in excess of 36,000 hr of operation from charge exchange induced groove erosion. It is at this duration that the groove is predicted to penetrate the accelerator grid possibly resulting in structural failure. Based on these lifetime and mission assessments, a throttling approach is presented for the Long Duration Test to demonstrate NEXT thruster lifetime and validate modeling.
Document ID
20110000535
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
VanNoord, Jonathan L. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Herman, Daniel A. (ASRC Aerospace Corp. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2010
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA Paper 2008-4526
NASA/TM-2010-216920
E-17496
Meeting Information
Meeting: 44th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Location: Hartford, CT
Country: United States
Start Date: July 21, 2008
End Date: July 23, 2008
Sponsors: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society for Electrical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 346620.04.05.03.13
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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