Experimental investigations and optimization of CAMILA Hall thruster with strong longitudinal magnetic field

Maxim Rubanovich, Alexander Kapulkin, Vladimir Balabanov, Ehud Behar, Pini Gurfil

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The features of CAMILA Hall thruster operation at the strong longitudinal component of the magnetic field in the anode cavity, which is comparable with a typical radial component in the acceleration area, are experimentally studied. A special attention is paid to operation of the anode cavity in a self-maintaining mode. It was found that at typical values of the discharge currents, the potential drop in the anode cavity is ∼ 25 V. The conductivity of plasma transverse to the magnetic field in the cavity is Bohm's one. The reason of such high conductivity of the plasma is Raleigh-Taylor (convective) instability. It is shown that increasing the longitudinal magnetic field in the anode cavity leads to growth of the effectiveness of propellant ionization in the thruster and to increasing the fraction of ion current in the discharge current.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication66th International Astronautical Congress 2015, IAC 2015
Subtitle of host publicationSpace - The Gateway for Mankind's Future
Pages7508-7515
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781510818934
StatePublished - 2015
Event66th International Astronautical Congress 2015: Space - The Gateway for Mankind's Future, IAC 2015 - Jerusalem, Israel
Duration: 12 Oct 201516 Oct 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
Volume10

Conference

Conference66th International Astronautical Congress 2015: Space - The Gateway for Mankind's Future, IAC 2015
Country/TerritoryIsrael
CityJerusalem
Period12/10/1516/10/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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