Performance characterization of the µ10 electron-cyclotron-resonance ion thruster using alternative propellants: krypton vs. xenon Articles uri icon

publication date

  • July 2023

start page

  • 750

end page

  • 754

volume

  • 211

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0094-5765

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1879-2030

abstract

  • A first krypton vs. xenon experimental comparison of the Hayabusa2 and DESTINY+ u10 Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) gridded ion sources, and their ECR neutralizer, is presented. When operating on krypton, the ion sources deliver similar current in the same propellant consumption range and provide equivalent thrust levels. Nevertheless, the system experiences about 30% of thruster efficiency loss as the neutralizer propellant demand for comparable current levels more than doubles.

subjects

  • Aeronautics

keywords

  • krypton; xenon; ecr; ion thruster; hayabusa2; destiny+