Numerical Rebuilding of SMART-1 Hall Effect Thruster Plasma Plume

Abstract

The SMART-1 flight data provided an excellent opportunity for extending validation of plume prediction codes to actual flight conditions. This paper will present the results obtained for the numerical simulation of the SMART-1 plasma plume using the PICPluS particle in cell code, which had been previously validated using ground experiment data. This activity can be considered as the first important step in the direction of a full in-flight validation for the code models and algorithms. A description of the implemented physical models is provided, followed by simulation results of experimental data from Alta's tests and from the literature. Finally, the results of the code application to the SMART-1 mission are presented, focusing on the simulation of retarding potential analyzer measurement, spacecraft floating potential, and interaction of the plasma field with the satellite (in particular the solar array). The results show that, although the possibility of dangerous interaction between the electric propulsion system and the spacecraft is very limited, a number of complex phenomena arise due to the use of the electric propulsion system in orbit. For example, the interaction between the plume and the solar array orientation leads to complex patterns for the spacecraft floating potential. Eventually, full three-dimensional simulation is therefore needed to accurately model this kind of phenomena with a realistic description of the involved geometries.