The paper illustrates the activity carried out by the University of Pisa (UniPi) and Aerospazio Tecnologie for the design and manufacturing of hollow cathodes for the CHEOPS-VHP-BB project (Consortium for Hall Effect Orbital Propulsive System-Very High Power-Building Blocks). The cathode design has been optimized to operate with argon and krypton, and to deliver currents ranging from 10 A to 100 A. The achievement of validation in relevant environment provides for a characterisation test, such as vibration test. Different heater and tube geometries, as well as manufacturing solutions have been considered. The adoption of additive manufacturing techniques has demonstrated a more compact solution can be obtained. At the present stage, the cathode, has been designed in detail, while material procurement and manufacturing are in progress.
Development of a high-current cathode for the CHEOPS VH-BB project
Carla Guidi
Primo
;Francesco Marconcini;Guido Giammarinaro;Giulia Becatti;Manuel Martin Saravia;Fabrizio Paganucci;
2024-01-01
Abstract
The paper illustrates the activity carried out by the University of Pisa (UniPi) and Aerospazio Tecnologie for the design and manufacturing of hollow cathodes for the CHEOPS-VHP-BB project (Consortium for Hall Effect Orbital Propulsive System-Very High Power-Building Blocks). The cathode design has been optimized to operate with argon and krypton, and to deliver currents ranging from 10 A to 100 A. The achievement of validation in relevant environment provides for a characterisation test, such as vibration test. Different heater and tube geometries, as well as manufacturing solutions have been considered. The adoption of additive manufacturing techniques has demonstrated a more compact solution can be obtained. At the present stage, the cathode, has been designed in detail, while material procurement and manufacturing are in progress.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
