Alternative propellants for gridded ion engines

Fazio, Nazareno, Gabriel, Stephen and Golosnoy, Igor O. (2018) Alternative propellants for gridded ion engines. Space Propulsion 2018, Barcelo Renacimiento Hotel, Convention Center, Avenida Alvaro Alonso Barba, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Seville, Spain, Seville, Spain. 14 - 18 May 2018. SP2018_00102 .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

Within the European GIESEPP project framework, a comparative overview of the properties of propellants suitable for electric propulsion and an assessment on the impact of substituting Xenon as operating medium will be presented in this paper.
A preliminary qualitative and quantitative analysis will be performed to assess the effects on the existing systems and to ensure their functionality with alternative propellants.
Based on a trade-off between performance and compatibility, Krypton was selected as main alternative and Iodine as secondary (due to possible compatibility problems). However, more extensive investigations will be required to address all the possible aspects of the propellant change.

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SP2018_102_PA_Nazareno - Accepted Manuscript

Available under License University of Southampton Accepted Manuscript Licence.

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Published date: 18 May 2018

Venue - Dates: Space Propulsion 2018, Barcelo Renacimiento Hotel, Convention Center, Avenida Alvaro Alonso Barba, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Seville, Spain, Seville, Spain, 2018-05-14 - 2018-05-18

Keywords: Electric propulsion , Gridded Ion Engine, Alternative Propellants, Xenon, Krypton

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