Performance Characterization of the Low-Power Halo Electric Propulsion System
File(s)
Author(s)
Ryan, C
Wantock, T
Harle, T
Knoll, A
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Performance measurements have been obtained of a novel propulsion concept called the Halo thruster under development within the University of Surrey. The Halo thruster, a type of cusped-field thruster with close similarity to the cylindrical Hall thruster, is motivated by the need for low-power and low-cost electric propulsion for the small satellite sector. Two versions of the device are investigated in this study: a design using permanent magnets at high magnetic-field strength and a design using electromagnets with moderate field strength. While operating at 200 W discharge power, which is of particular interest to power-limited small satellite platforms, the permanent-magnet design achieved a maximum thrust efficiency of 8% at a specific impulse of approximately 900 s using a krypton propellant. By comparison, the electromagnet design achieved a maximum thrust efficiency of 28% at a specific impulse of approximately 1500 s at 200 W using a xenon propellant. For higher levels of power (tested up to 800 W), the performance of the electromagnetic design saturated at approximately 25% thrust efficiency using krypton and 30% using xenon. The thrust efficiency of the permanent-magnet design appeared to increase monotonically up to 600 W reaching a maximum value of 14%.
Date Issued
2016-11-01
Date Acceptance
2016-08-26
Citation
Journal of Propulsion and Power, 2016, 32 (6), pp.1544-1549
ISSN
0748-4658
Publisher
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Start Page
1544
End Page
1549
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Propulsion and Power
Volume
32
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2016 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved. Copies of this paper may be made for personal and internal use, on condition that the copier pay the per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC). All requests for copying and permission to reprint should be submitted to CCC at www.copyright.com; employ the ISSN 0748-4658 (print) or 1533-3876 (online) to initiate your request.
Subjects
0901 Aerospace Engineering
0913 Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace & Aeronautics
Publication Status
Published