TEST-BED CONFIGURATIONS FOR THE FLIGHT TESTING OF SNAP-8 POWERED ELECTRIC- PROPULSION SYSTEM

Technical Report · Fri Nov 24 04:00:00 EST 1961

OSTI ID:4823338

Beale, R J; Womack, J R; Hirrel, P J; Apel, W C

A study was undertaken to determine from a conceptual approach a logical test-bed configuration to meet the following requirements: (1) flight test a 30- kw(e) SNAP-8 power-generation system, (2) flight test a nominal 30-kw(e) ion motor and a nominal 30-kw(e) arc-jet motor, and (3) acquire useful spacecraft integration experience which could be directly applied to a 60- to 70-kw(e) mission spacecraft. Three distinct spacecraft concepts were reviewed: (1) a 70- kw(e) interplanetary mission spacecraft (representative of an ultimate utilization for SNAP-8), (2) a 30-kw(e) earth-satellite test bed, and (3) a 30- kw(e) interplanetary test bed. The interplanetary mission spacecraft is described as a standard with which the two types of test beds can be compared. For each spacecraft concept, several configurations are illustrated and described in detail. The descriptions include a discussion of the propulsion system, spacecraft mode of operation, guidance, control, power conditioning, instrumentation, and telecommunications. Preliminary weight and instrumentation parameters are summarized. The technical advantages and disadvantages of the two test-bed concepts are surveyed relative to the interplanetary mission spacecraft, and the recommendation to pursue the more sophisticated interplanetary test bed is made. (auth)

• Research Organization: California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena. Jet Propulsion Lab.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-005079
• OSTI ID: 4823338
• Report Number(s): JPL-TR-32-190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COMMUNICATIONS
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
GUIDANCE
IONS
JETS
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MOCKUP
MOTORS
PLANETS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
PROPULSION
REACTORS
REMOTE CONTROL
ROCKETS
SATELLITES
SNAP-8 SERIES
SPACE APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
SPACE FLIGHT
SPACE VEHICLES
STANDARDS
TESTING
WEIGHT