Ion Production Cost Research Articles

Reduction of plasma loss to discharge chamber walls in a ring-cusp ion thruster

The plasma ion loss to the discharge chamber wall in a magnetic cusp ion thruster has a significant influence on the discharge performance expressed in terms of ion production cost and propellant utilization efficiency. A method is presented for improving discharge performance by confining the ions electrostatically in the discharge chamber; a set of ring-shaped electrodes that is biased positively with respect to the anode is installed in the regions enclosed by the cusp fields. 6 references.

電子衝撃型イオン・エンジンの研究(2)

Three dimensional analysis is made with respect to electric power consumption of the electron bombardment ion engine at an orbital transfer or a station keeping of an artificial satellite.The optimum position for the ion engine operation is determined, and three types of control are possible to compensate for a change of thrust level. Variations of power are calculated, and the most advantageous control method is obtained. It is clarified that propellant fllow control, which is usually adopted, does not necessarily give optimum one. The change of accelerating voltage does not need more propellant, but may go unsteble owing to changes in position of plasma boundary. When the ion production cost is changed, the shift to the optimum point is required to operate at minimum power consumption.