International Electric Propulsion Conference · 1997 · 15 citations · 3 references
Natural SciencesAerospace EngineeringNuclear EngineeringAerospace MaterialsNuclear InstrumentationPlasma PhysicsCathode MaterialsHigh-temperature PlasmasIgnitionPlasma DiagnosticsPlasma SourcesSpace PlasmasHollow Cathode DischargesHollow CathodesIgnitability TestingIgnition CharacteristicsIgnition PhysicsIgnition System Performance TestingPlasma CathodesPlasma Ignition
A plasma contactor system has been baselined for the International Space Station for structural potential control. An ignition procedure was developed for the plasma contactor hollow cathode assembly (HCA). To demonstrate the required 99% HCA ignition reliability over 6,000 cycles, an ignition test was conducted. An accelerated test procedure was employed to rapidly accumulate ignition cycles. The test procedure minimized the differences between accelerated and non-accelerated test results. The development HCA used in this test has achieved 32,000 ignitions to date. The HCA has been qualified for cyclic operation, which could reduce xenon consumption and extend the life of the plasma contactor system.
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