| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L42964/01 |
| Title: |
ENGINEERING OPTIMISATION OF KAUFMAN-TYPE ELECTROSTATIC ION THRUSTERS FOR SPACE MISSIONS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Haines, Professor M |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
Imperial College London |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 1997 |
Ends: |
31 January 2001 |
Value (£): |
206,782
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
|
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
In the development of two Kaufman-type ion thrusters in the UK, it has become evident that the underlying principles of operation of the hollow cathode electron source and the transport and acceleration of the primary electrons within the discharge chamber are in adequately understood. Problems also exist in explaining the emission of radio frequency (RF) noise detrimental to the stability of the thruster, the acceleration to energies of more than 100eV of ions leaving the cathode orifice, and resulting sputtering erosion around this orifice and elsewhere that limits the useful life of the thruster. It is therefore proposed to extend earlier studies of these phenomena, carried out in very close collaboration with DRA, Farnborough, using a variety of diagnostic and analytical techniques appropriate to the very small dimensions of the plasmas involved, and to optimise the performance of the Kaufman type electrostatic ion thruster. DRA are offering their equipment and test facilities, and the support staff as their contribution to this proposed project. The theoretical and computational aspects of the work will concentrate on the electron emission, the hydrodynamic flow and transport mechanisms, and on possible explanations for the observed ion acceleration and RF emission.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.imperial.ac.uk |