Experimental performance of a microwave electrothermal thruster with high temperature nozzle materials

Conference · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · AIAA Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6032831

Whitehair, S; Frasch, L L; Asmussen, J

Testing of various modifications of a microwave electrothermal thruster, including the use of boron nitride and metal nozzles, the cooling of the nozzle with the incoming propellant, and the use of a spherical dome discharge chamber, is discussed. Tests were performed in nitrogen and helium gases over a 500-5000-sccm flow range and at pressures of up to 1500 torr, and experimental results are presented for specific impulse and energy efficiency. For the nitrogen experiments, excellant results were found for metal nozzle thrusters at very low flow rates in comparison with previous results for quartz nozzles at higher flow rates, and nozzle melting and erosion problems were eliminated. 11 references.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing
• OSTI ID: 6032831
• Report Number(s): AIAA-Paper-8-1016; CONF-870558-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AIAA Pap.; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
BORON COMPOUNDS
BORON NITRIDES
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HIGH-FREQUENCY DISCHARGES
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
NITRIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PNICTIDES
ROCKET ENGINES
TESTING
THRUSTERS