21st International Electric Propulsion Conference · 1990 · 14 citations · 0 references
EngineeringAerospace EngineeringPhysicsHeat TransferPropulsionTransport PhenomenaElectric PropulsionJet PropulsionPropulsion EfficiencyPropulsion SystemsArcjetsCathode ErosionElectrothermal PropulsionElectrothermal ThrustersHydrogen PropulsionSpecific ImpulseThrust Performance
Experimental results on the electrothermal behavior and operating performance of water-cooled laboratory model arcjet thrusters using a variety of propellants in the range of 5-50 kW are reported. The highest voltage and specific impulse are attained with hydrogen propellant and the lowest with argon propellant; intermediate results are obtained with nitrogen and a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen. The highest cathode erosion rate is measured with argon while the lowest is associated with hydrogen.