Keywords:ion thruster; electric propulsion; hollow cathode keeper erosion
Publisher:Pasadena, CA : Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2005.
Citation:29th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Princeton, NJ, October 31 - November 4, 2005
Abstract:
Due to the successful performance of the NSTAR ion thruster in Deep Space 1 mission, coupled with the recently completed 30,352 hour extended life test (ELT) of the NSTAR flight spare thruster, ion thrusters have become a viable option for future NASA missions. In this paper, detailed measurements of the plasma parameters internal and external to the cathode will presented for the NSTAR cathode up to 13.1A of discharge current and for the NEXIS cathode up to 30A of discharge current.
