High Specific Impulse Microwave Discharge Ion Engine for Interplanetary Explorer

Author

Hayashi, H. ; Cho, M. ; Kuninaka, H.

Author_Institution

Japan Aerosp. Exploration Agency, Kanagawa

Volume

2

fYear

2006

fDate

25-29 Sept. 2006

Firstpage

766

Lastpage

769

Abstract

High specific impulse ion propulsion is of concern as primary propulsion system for various interplanetary explorers. A high specific impulse microwave discharge ion engine has been developed in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) since 2003. The aim of this development is achieving a specific impulse of 10,000sec with an ion acceleration voltage of 15kV. New electro-static grid made of carbon-carbon composite material and various high voltage insulating components such as a DC block and a propellant isolator were developed. The authors fabricated a prototype model of the ion engine, and successfully operated it. The paper describes the outline and the experimental result of demonstration test of the high specific impulse microwave discharge ion engine

Keywords

aerospace propulsion; composite materials; insulating materials; ion engines; space vehicles; 10000 sec; 15 kV; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; carbon-carbon composite material; electrostatic grid; high specific impulse microwave discharge ion engine; high voltage insulating components; interplanetary explorer; propulsion system; Acceleration; Aerospace materials; Composite materials; Engines; Impulse testing; Insulation; Isolators; Propulsion; Prototypes; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, 2006. ISDEIV '06. International Symposium on

Conference_Location

Matsue

ISSN

1093-2941

Print_ISBN

1-4244-0191-7

Electronic_ISBN

1093-2941

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/DEIV.2006.357415

Filename

4194996