Ablative Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPT) are a simple and economic mean to generate thrust. They are usually classified as pulsed magnetohydrodynamic thrusters. Some of the advantages of PPT are the limited number of parts constituting the thruster and the solid storage of propellant. Although this allows for low prices and system simplicity, PPT optimization is not so straightforward and additional investigations are required to improve performance predictability. With a combined effort of the University of Pisa (UniPi) and Sitael S.p.A. a novel prototype was designed, manufactured and tested. With the introduction of ablation in classical models - the socalled slug and snowplow - a new predictive model was developed. Moreover, to analyze the prototype behavior triple Langmuir probes were designed. The diagnostic system was used to perform time-of-flight measurements and plume characterization.
Development and Characterization of a Pulsed Plasma Thruster
F. Paganucci;M. Andrenucci
2018-01-01
Abstract
Ablative Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPT) are a simple and economic mean to generate thrust. They are usually classified as pulsed magnetohydrodynamic thrusters. Some of the advantages of PPT are the limited number of parts constituting the thruster and the solid storage of propellant. Although this allows for low prices and system simplicity, PPT optimization is not so straightforward and additional investigations are required to improve performance predictability. With a combined effort of the University of Pisa (UniPi) and Sitael S.p.A. a novel prototype was designed, manufactured and tested. With the introduction of ablation in classical models - the socalled slug and snowplow - a new predictive model was developed. Moreover, to analyze the prototype behavior triple Langmuir probes were designed. The diagnostic system was used to perform time-of-flight measurements and plume characterization.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
