Performance of a hydrogen-pulsed electrothermal thruster. Strategic Defense Initiative Organization innovative science and technology. SBIR. Phase 1. Final report, 12 January-12 July 1987

Technical Report · Mon Sep 28 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:7225503

Burton, R L; Goldstein, S A; Wang, S Y

This report describes effort to determine the technical feasibility of measuring the performance of a pulsed electrothermal thruster on liquid hydrogen propellant. The design of a 5-kW thruster is presented, including the capacitive pulse-forming network, arc-discharge characteristics, nozzle performance, and predicted specific impulse and thrust. A thermal model is discussed which treats and solves the problem of liquid hydrogen. It is concluded that a Phase II test should concentrate on water and/or hydrazine, and liquid-hydrogen testing should be postponed to Phase III.

• Research Organization: GT-Devices, Inc., Alexandria, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7225503
• Report Number(s): AD-A-191999/2/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
THRUSTERS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
HYDROGEN
NOZZLES
PROGRESS REPORT
PULSES
WATER
CURRENTS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
300800* - Direct Energy Conversion- Miscellaneous Converters
990500 - Civilian Defense- (-1987)