Iodine Plasma Propulsion Test Results at 1–10 kW
@article{Szabo2015IodinePP, title={Iodine Plasma Propulsion Test Results at 1–10 kW}, author={James J. Szabo and Mike Robin and Surjeet Paintal and Bruce Pote and V. J. Hruby and Charles Ross Freeman}, journal={IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science}, year={2015}, volume={43}, pages={141-148} }
The near-term potential for iodine propellant in Hall thrusters is explored. The merits of iodine with respect to other propellants are presented. Recent performance measurements are summarized, and new measurements taken with an 8 kW thruster are presented. Thruster discharge power exceeded 10 kW, and peak measured anode efficiency exceeded 65%. Spacecraft interactions issues are also addressed and relevant data taken with a 1 kW thruster are presented. Plume data showed lower divergence with…
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