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Operating Characteristics of Low Power Arcjets for Space Propulsion

Research Project

Project/Area Number 61460079
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Research Field Aerospace engineering
Research InstitutionOsaka University

Principal Investigator

YOSHIKAWA Takao  Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 基礎工学部, 教授 (00029498)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) ONOE Ken-ichi  Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 基礎工学部, 助手 (70029429)
Project Period (FY) 1986 – 1987
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 1987)
Budget Amount *help
¥5,700,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,700,000)
Fiscal Year 1987: ¥2,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,300,000)
Fiscal Year 1986: ¥3,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000)
KeywordsElectric Propulsion / Arcjet / Station-Keeping / Frozen Flow Loss / Real Gas Effect / 実在気体効果 / 電離・解離を伴う流れ / 比推力 / 衛星の姿勢制御 / 解離,電離を伴う超音速流
Research Abstract

This paper describes exploratory development of a low-power arcjet for space propulsion such as north-south station keeping for geosynchronous satellites. Three kinds of arcjets ( water cooled arcjet, two-dimensional visible arcjet and radiation cooled arcjet) has been designed and tested with N_2, H_2 and mixture of N_2+H_2 simulating hydrazine decomposion products at power levels from 0.5 to 3kW. The focus of the present research effort is to develop a stable arcjet thruster with high thrust performance at the low mass flow rate and low discharge current level. In the tests of arcjets, the following results were obtained.
(1) The large amount of electrode erosion occurs at the start-up. A double pulse trigger method is proposed as a softer starting procedure.
(2) The preferred operating conditions and thrust performance are as follows: Propellant N_2+2H_2, ( mixed gas ); arc current 16 A; mass flow rate 30 mg/s; total thrust 145 mN; specific impulse 494 sec; thrust efficiency 31.2 %.
(3) The heat input to the cathode is as high as 8 % of the input power and is removed by regenerative cooling of the propellant. In addition, the arc efficiency is 85 % .
(4) From the calculation, the frozen flow loss is 40-50 % of the input power. The preferred opening angle of the nozzle seems to be about 40゜ from the standpoint of the arc stability and thrust performance.

Report

(2 results)
  • 1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • 1986 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (10 results)

All Other

All Publications (10 results)

  • [Publications] T. Yoshikawa: AIAA Poper. 87-1058. 1-13 (1987)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] H. Suzuki: AIAA Paper. 87-1039. 1-7 (1987)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] H. Yoshida: Proceeding of 16th ISTS(Internutioual Symposium on Space Techmolehy and Science). (1988)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] T. Yoshikawa: Proceeding of 20th IEPC(International Electric Propulsion Confcrcuce). (1988)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] T.Yoshikawa: "Development of a Low Power DC Arcjet for Space Propulsion" AIAA Paper. 87-1058. 1-13 (1987)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] H.Suzuki: "DC Arcjet System for North-South Station Keeping of Geosynchronous Satellite" AIAA Paper. 87-1039. 1-7 (1987)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] H.Yoshida: "The Design and Operating Characteristics of an Advanced 1 kW Hydrazine Arcjet Thruster" Proceeding of 16th ISTS , to be published. (1988)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] T.Yoshikawa: "Operating characteristics of 1 kW Hydrazine Arcjet Thruster" 20th IEPC, to be published (International Electric Propulsion Conference). (1988)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      1987 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] T.Yoshikawa: AIAA paper. 87-1058. (1987)

    • Related Report
      1986 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] H.Suzuki: AIAA Paper. (1987)

    • Related Report
      1986 Annual Research Report

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Published: 1987-03-31   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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