By replacing the liquid metal propellant with a ionic liquid, it is possible to develop a new, simplified FEEP system that combines most of the heritage and the advantages of the linear slit geometry with the easy of handling and operation of a more benign propellant. In view of the development of such Ionic Liquid FEEP thruster (IL-FEEP), an internal development activity is underway at Alta, aimed at the design and testing of an innovative linear slit thruster derived from the cesium experience. This paper presents the results of recent experimental campaigns aimed at assessing the performance of linear slit FEEP emitters fed with a ionic liquid propellant. For the first time, beam composition was evaluated using a time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique, allowing for a reliable estimate of the thruster’s specific impulse.
Slit FEEP Thruster Performance with Ionic Liquid Propellant
MARCUCCIO, SALVO
Primo
;
2013-01-01
Abstract
By replacing the liquid metal propellant with a ionic liquid, it is possible to develop a new, simplified FEEP system that combines most of the heritage and the advantages of the linear slit geometry with the easy of handling and operation of a more benign propellant. In view of the development of such Ionic Liquid FEEP thruster (IL-FEEP), an internal development activity is underway at Alta, aimed at the design and testing of an innovative linear slit thruster derived from the cesium experience. This paper presents the results of recent experimental campaigns aimed at assessing the performance of linear slit FEEP emitters fed with a ionic liquid propellant. For the first time, beam composition was evaluated using a time-of-flight mass spectrometry technique, allowing for a reliable estimate of the thruster’s specific impulse.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
