Sec Specific Impulse Research Articles

マイクロ波放電式イオンエンジンの高比推力化に関する基礎研究

An ion engine with 10,000sec-class high specific impulse is expected as primary propulsion for interplanetary space mission with extremely high delta-V, and needs high voltage for ion acceleration over 10kV. The microwave discharge ion source without solid electrodes can supply sophisticated technologies and simple composition on electrical isolation for such a high voltage. New electro-static grid made of carbon-carbon composite material was fabricated based on the numerical simulation of “igx” code. The “μ10HIsp” ion engine combining the ECR ion source, microwave discharge neutralizer, DC blocks, propellant isolators, carbon-carbon composite grid and so on generated successfully a plasma beam with 10,000sec specific impulse using 15kV acceleration voltage.

小惑星探査機「はやぶさ」搭載マイクロ波放電式イオンエンジンの初期運用

The microwave discharge ion engine generates plasmas of the main ion source as well as the neutralizer using 4GHz microwave without discharge electrodes and hollow cathodes, so that long life and durability against oxygen and air are expected. MUSES-C “HAYABUSA” spacecraft installing four microwave discharge ion engines was launched into deep space by M-V rocket on May 9, 2003. After vacuum exposure and several runs of baking for reduction of residual gas the ion engine system established the continuous acceleration of the spacecraft toward an asteroid. The Doppler shift measurement of the communication microwave revealed the performance of ion engines, which is 8mN thrust force for a single unit with 3,200sec specific impulse at 23mN/kW thrust power ratio. At the beginning of December 2003 the accumulated operational time exceeded 7,000 hours and units.

Performance of a Fifteen-Centimeter Ion Thruster with Reliable Restart Capability

Experimental evaluation of a modified SERT II thruster with dished grids capable of producing a 600 ma ion beam at 2690 sec specific impulse and achieving rapid, reliable startup is described. In addition to steadystate performance curves, thruster performance is examined over the duration of rapid startup and one hr operating sequence. Rapid startup utilizing high voltage spark ignition of the main and neutralizer cathodes is described. Minimal deterioration of the cathodes and the ignition system during 1000 neutralizer cathode startups and 2000 main cathode startups is demonstrated. The need for heaters and a vaporizer control system to facilitate more rapid startup is identified.