Life test research of a high specific impulse Hall thruster HEP-140MF

Abstract

In this study, a high specific impulse Hall thruster, HEP-140MF, having a high discharge voltage, was used to accelerate ions. We aimed to obtain a high specific impulse and an acceleration zone moving downstream toward the channel exit to reduce wall sputtering erosion of the walls of the discharge channel, hence ensuring an enhanced lifetime. To study the lifetime characteristics of the high specific impulse Hall thruster, a life test was performed on the HEP-140MF thruster for the first time, and performance parameters, such as thrust, specific impulse, and efficiency, were measured. Changes in the performance parameters and evolutions in the surface profiles of the discharge channel wall were summarized. The reasons contributing to these changes during the life test were analyzed. Moreover, the accelerated life test method was validated on the HEP-140MF.