Microwave electrothermal thruster performance in helium gas

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Propul. Pow.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/3.22965· OSTI ID:6761485

Whitehair, S; Asmussen, J; Nakanishi, S

The microwave electrothermal thruster presented uses an internally tuned, single-mode cylindrical cavity applicator to focus and match microwave energy into an electrodeless, high pressure flowing gas discharge that is located within a quartz discharge chamber. Experimental measurements of microwave coupling efficiency, thruster energy efficiency, and specific impulse, are obtained for N and He discharges; the efficiency of microwave energy transfer to the discharge is found to be of the order of 95 percent. Higher temperature nozzle materials and more efficient discharge chambers will further enhance performance. 25 references.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansin; Analex Corp., Cleveland, OH
• OSTI ID: 6761485
• Journal Information: J. Propul. Pow.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Propul. Pow.; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN JPPOE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

420201* -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COUPLING
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELEMENTS
EQUIVALENT CIRCUITS
FLUIDS
GASES
HELIUM
MATERIALS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
NONMETALS
PERFORMANCE
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
RADIATIONS
RARE GASES
THRUSTERS