Skip to main content

Modeling of Stationary Plasma Thruster-100 Thruster Plumes and Implications for Satellite Design

Publication ,  Journal Article
Oh, DY; Hastings, DE; Marrese, CM; Haas, JM; Gallimore, AD
Published in: Journal of Propulsion and Power
January 1, 1999

A computational model of a stationary plasma thruster (SPT) has been developed using a quasineutral particle-in-cell/direct simulation Monte Carlo (PIC-DSMC) model. This model is based on theoretical work showing that the plume consists of a quasineutral plasma with collisionless electrons in which the magnetic field can be neglected. Details of the PIC - DSMC method are presented as well as axisymmetric and three-dimensional results. Comparisons are made to new and previously reported experimental data. The model is shown to produce results similar to laboratory measurements of the ion current density and plume-induced sputter erosion rates. The model does not compare as well with retarding potential analyzer measurements of the ion energy distribution. The results confirm previous observations that measurements made in some ground facilities may substantially overpredict the amount of backflow current that will be experienced under operational conditions. A surface-sputtering model is used to predict the impact the plume has on solar array interconnects and to show the impact an SPT thruster could have on a communications satellite. The results show that the thruster should be canted with respect to the solar array, lowering its effective thrust and specific impulse.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Propulsion and Power

DOI

EISSN

1533-3876

ISSN

0748-4658

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

Volume

15

Issue

2

Start / End Page

345 / 357

Related Subject Headings

  • Aerospace & Aeronautics
  • 4001 Aerospace engineering
  • 0913 Mechanical Engineering
  • 0901 Aerospace Engineering
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Oh, D. Y., Hastings, D. E., Marrese, C. M., Haas, J. M., & Gallimore, A. D. (1999). Modeling of Stationary Plasma Thruster-100 Thruster Plumes and Implications for Satellite Design. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 15(2), 345–357. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5432
Oh, D. Y., D. E. Hastings, C. M. Marrese, J. M. Haas, and A. D. Gallimore. “Modeling of Stationary Plasma Thruster-100 Thruster Plumes and Implications for Satellite Design.” Journal of Propulsion and Power 15, no. 2 (January 1, 1999): 345–57. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5432.
Oh DY, Hastings DE, Marrese CM, Haas JM, Gallimore AD. Modeling of Stationary Plasma Thruster-100 Thruster Plumes and Implications for Satellite Design. Journal of Propulsion and Power. 1999 Jan 1;15(2):345–57.
Oh, D. Y., et al. “Modeling of Stationary Plasma Thruster-100 Thruster Plumes and Implications for Satellite Design.” Journal of Propulsion and Power, vol. 15, no. 2, Jan. 1999, pp. 345–57. Scopus, doi:10.2514/2.5432.
Oh DY, Hastings DE, Marrese CM, Haas JM, Gallimore AD. Modeling of Stationary Plasma Thruster-100 Thruster Plumes and Implications for Satellite Design. Journal of Propulsion and Power. 1999 Jan 1;15(2):345–357.

Published In

Journal of Propulsion and Power

DOI

EISSN

1533-3876

ISSN

0748-4658

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

Volume

15

Issue

2

Start / End Page

345 / 357

Related Subject Headings

  • Aerospace & Aeronautics
  • 4001 Aerospace engineering
  • 0913 Mechanical Engineering
  • 0901 Aerospace Engineering
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics