The Astronautics Laboratory of the Air Force Systems Command electric propulsion projects

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5420020

Sanks, T M; Andrews, J C

Ongoing projects at the Astronautics Laboratory (AL) of the USAF Systems Command are described. Particular attention is given to experiments with arcjets, magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, ion engines, and the Electric Insertion Transfer Experiment (ELITE). ELITE involves the integration of high-power ammonia arcjets, low-power xenon ion thrusters, advanced photovoltaic solar arrays, and an autononomous flight control system. It is believed that electric propulsion will become a dominant element in the military and industrial use of space. 6 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5420020
• Report Number(s): AIAA-Paper-89-2494; CONF-8907118-
• Resource Relation: Conference: 25. American Society of Mechanical Engineers joint propulsion conference, Monterey, CA (USA), 10-13 Jul 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
SPACE VEHICLES
FLIGHT TESTING
ION THRUSTERS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PROPULSION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TESTING
THRUSTERS
VEHICLES
420200* - Engineering- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques