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Single Cathode Ion Thruster
Completed
TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Description
Objective is to design an electrostatic ion thruster that is more efficient, simpler, and lower cost than the current gridded ion thruster. Initial objective is to design and test a lab model thruster to demonstrate feasibility and provide insight into optimizing the design. The innovation proposed within is similar to a Hall thruster or the HEMPT with its single cathode, but is distinctly geared towards higher specific impulse than these thrusters operate. By using grids, the acceleration mechanism yields high specific impulse operation capability, a well collimated beam, and neutral containment for increased efficiency. The innovation proposed is a gridded ring cusp ion thruster that uses only one cathode for both neutralizing the beam and ionizing the propellant. This device would be a high-risk, high payoff device that significantly advances efficient, affordable in-space propulsion.
Benefits
First, the thruster system would be simpler and lower cost than current ion thrusters. A second benefit would be increased performance, as previously explained, the thruster efficiency is expected to be higher at a given specific impulse since the losses associated with excitation and the discharge cathode would be minimized. A third benefit will be its scalability to a variety of power levels. A final benefit would be increased reliability and thruster life.
Details
| Technology area | Propulsion Systems > Electric Space Propulsion > Electrostatic Propulsion |
| Program | Center Innovation Fund: GRC CIF (GRC CIF) |
| Lead organization | Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH |
| Start date | 2012-03-01 |
| End date | 2013-09-30 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
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