Performance Characterization of a Three-Axis Hall Effect Thruster

he research presented here represents the first efforts to operate and quantify the performance of a three-axis Hall effect thruster. This thruster is based on the Busek BHT-200 and used a novel construction with three orthogonal faces and a common magnetic core to reduce size and weight. Operating procedures for the thruster were developed and thrust and current density measurements were performed and compared with the baseline BHT-200. The three-axis thruster was successfully operated in single, double and triple face configurations. Distinct jet plume and ball plume modes were observed. Inverted pendulum thrust stand readings in the single face mode indicated that the three-axis thruster produced considerably lower thrust, specific impulse and thrust efficiencies than the BHT-200. Beam current density measurements conducted using a guarded Faraday probe showed significant differences in plume divergence angle, total beam current and current density distributions between the different faces and different operating modes. Results showed three-axis thruster efficiency and stability improved with more operating faces. Improvements to the three-axis thruster design and thrust stand configuration for use with the thruster were enumerated. Suggestions for refinement to experimental methodologies to optimize testing with the three-axis thruster were made and additional diagnostic techniques were described.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.