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Emitter depletion measurement and modeling in the T5&T6 Kaufman-type ion thrusters

Emitter depletion measurement and modeling in the T5&T6 Kaufman-type ion thrusters
Emitter depletion measurement and modeling in the T5&T6 Kaufman-type ion thrusters
This paper presents some of the aspects of a program undertaken by Qineti Q to characterize and determine the depletion rates and predict life time of its cathode technology. It reports on a long duration test performed on the T5 (15,000 hours) and a series of shorter tests on the T6 (800hours and 4000hours) including the results of destructive post test examinations and insert depletion measurements. The program also includes a modeling of insert depletion by Southampton University which has currently produced good agreement with measured depletion on the 15,000 hour T5 insert. Two tests have also been carried out on the T6 cathode to determine an end of life condition. An accelerated lifetest where the insert temperature was increased by 20oC has to date accumulated 3790 hours of operation. This is equivalent to 30,320hours with an 8×acceleration factor or 60,640hours assuming a 16× acceleration factor. Another test was also undertaken with two grossly depleted T6 inserts (25% and 50% depleted). Both cathodes although grossly depleted still behaved nominally. All the results give a degree of confidence in the compatibility of the T6 thruster cathode with future high impulse mission lifetime requirements.
hollow cathode, life time, T5 T6 kaufmann ion thruster
Ahmed Rudwan, Ismat M.
d438d7b2-8d9d-434c-8a5a-4376e562a82f
Wallace, Neil
d6460b1c-2bcc-43db-b907-fab87abd5cc6
Coletti, Michele
f99567c2-8fab-42dd-9e25-c3f69495667f
Gabriel, Stephen
ac76976d-74fd-40a0-808d-c9f68a38f259
Ahmed Rudwan, Ismat M.
d438d7b2-8d9d-434c-8a5a-4376e562a82f
Wallace, Neil
d6460b1c-2bcc-43db-b907-fab87abd5cc6
Coletti, Michele
f99567c2-8fab-42dd-9e25-c3f69495667f
Gabriel, Stephen
ac76976d-74fd-40a0-808d-c9f68a38f259

Ahmed Rudwan, Ismat M., Wallace, Neil, Coletti, Michele and Gabriel, Stephen (2007) Emitter depletion measurement and modeling in the T5&T6 Kaufman-type ion thrusters. 30th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC 2007), Florence, Italy. 17 - 20 Sep 2007. 26 pp .

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

This paper presents some of the aspects of a program undertaken by Qineti Q to characterize and determine the depletion rates and predict life time of its cathode technology. It reports on a long duration test performed on the T5 (15,000 hours) and a series of shorter tests on the T6 (800hours and 4000hours) including the results of destructive post test examinations and insert depletion measurements. The program also includes a modeling of insert depletion by Southampton University which has currently produced good agreement with measured depletion on the 15,000 hour T5 insert. Two tests have also been carried out on the T6 cathode to determine an end of life condition. An accelerated lifetest where the insert temperature was increased by 20oC has to date accumulated 3790 hours of operation. This is equivalent to 30,320hours with an 8×acceleration factor or 60,640hours assuming a 16× acceleration factor. Another test was also undertaken with two grossly depleted T6 inserts (25% and 50% depleted). Both cathodes although grossly depleted still behaved nominally. All the results give a degree of confidence in the compatibility of the T6 thruster cathode with future high impulse mission lifetime requirements.

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More information

Published date: September 2007
Additional Information: IEPC -2007- 256
Venue - Dates: 30th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC 2007), Florence, Italy, 2007-09-17 - 2007-09-20
Keywords: hollow cathode, life time, T5 T6 kaufmann ion thruster
Organisations: Astronautics Group

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 49873
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/49873
PURE UUID: b5f6c9cf-e3fe-469d-a4c0-5de932b1b96d

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 10 Dec 2007
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 10:00

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Contributors

Author: Ismat M. Ahmed Rudwan
Author: Neil Wallace
Author: Michele Coletti
Author: Stephen Gabriel

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