The paper deals with Alta-Centrospazio progress in the frame of the numerical activity on high-current hollow cathodes for MPD thrusters applications, started about three years ago with the development of a stationary, one-dimension single-channel hollow cathode model. As shown in the first part of the paper, this model has been modified in order to account for the presence of an orificed plate at the cathode outlet and numerical results agree well with experimental data gathered on a 5-kW-class MPD thruster, tested at the RIAME-MAI laboratory under Centrospazio contract. In the second part the paper describes Alta-Centrospazio first attempts of developing a numerical model of a multiplechannel hollow cathode on the base of the acquired experience on the single-channel cathode model. Preliminary encouraging results show the model is able to reproduce some characteristic features of such a type of cathode, also with respect to the single-channel configuration. Finally the paper briefly illustrates main future developments concerning Alta-Centrospazio activity on MPD thruster cathodes study.
Centrospazio Progress on MPDT Hollow Cathodes
PAGANUCCI, FABRIZIO;ANDRENUCCI, MARIANO;
2004-01-01
Abstract
The paper deals with Alta-Centrospazio progress in the frame of the numerical activity on high-current hollow cathodes for MPD thrusters applications, started about three years ago with the development of a stationary, one-dimension single-channel hollow cathode model. As shown in the first part of the paper, this model has been modified in order to account for the presence of an orificed plate at the cathode outlet and numerical results agree well with experimental data gathered on a 5-kW-class MPD thruster, tested at the RIAME-MAI laboratory under Centrospazio contract. In the second part the paper describes Alta-Centrospazio first attempts of developing a numerical model of a multiplechannel hollow cathode on the base of the acquired experience on the single-channel cathode model. Preliminary encouraging results show the model is able to reproduce some characteristic features of such a type of cathode, also with respect to the single-channel configuration. Finally the paper briefly illustrates main future developments concerning Alta-Centrospazio activity on MPD thruster cathodes study.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
