Performance Characteristics of Micro-cathode Arc Thruster

Abstract

This paper describes measurements of performance characteristics of micro-cathode arc thruster. In particular, influence of an applied magnetic field on the impulse bit, specific impulse, and the mass consumption is investigated. The micro-cathode arc thruster was operated in a quasi-steady-state mode to ensure that a measurable thrust stand deflection was produced. It was found that the impulse bit increases from about in the case without a magnetic field up to about in the case of a magnetic field of about 0.3 T. A magnetic field leads to an increase of the mass consumption from about at zero magnetic field up to about at a magnetic field of about 0.3 T. Average ion velocity is measured to be about (at ) and about (at ). Maximum efficiency of the thruster is estimated to be about 7%.