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Mission Advantages of Constant Power, Variable Isp Electrostatic ThrustersElectric propulsion has moved from station-keeping capability for spacecraft to primary propulsion with the advent of both the Deep Space One asteroid flyby and geosynchronous spacecraft orbit insertion. In both cases notably more payload was delivered than would have been possible with chemical propulsion. To provide even greater improvements electrostatic thruster performance could be varied in specific impulse, but kept at constant power to provide better payload or trip time performance for different mission phases. Such variable specific impulse mission applications include geosynchronous and low earth orbit spacecraft stationkeeping and orbit insertion, geosynchronous reusable tug missions, and interplanetary probes. The application of variable specific impulse devices is shown to add from 5 to 15% payload for these missions. The challenges to building such devices include variable voltage power supplies and extending fuel throughput capabilities across the specific impulse range.
Document ID
20010016102
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Oleson, Steven R. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2000
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-2000-210477
AIAA Paper 2000-3413
NAS 1.15:210477
E-12473
Meeting Information
Meeting: Joint Propulsion
Location: Huntsville, AL
Country: United States
Start Date: July 16, 2000
End Date: July 19, 2000
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Society for Electrical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 632-6B-1C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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