Arm

Asrronautica

Vol. 35.
Science

Pergamon

Ekvier

Ltd. Printed in

No. 9-1 I, pp. 585-590. 1995 Great Britain

0094-5766(95)ooo25-9

PULSED PLASMA THRUSTER OF THE EROSION TYPE FOR A GEOSTATIONARY ARTIFICIAL EARTH SATELLITETS
A. I. RUDIKOV, N. N. ANTROPOV and G. A. POPOV
Research Institute of Applied Mechanics and Electrodynamics of the Moscow Aviation Institute, Moscow, Russia
(Received I July 1994; received for publication 6 February 1995)

Abstract-Analysis is made for the possibility of erosion pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) application while solving the task of maintaining the point sustaining a long-operating geostationary artificial Earth satellite. The concept of an erosion PPT with a pulse energy of 200-300 J, designed for holding the attitude of a satellite of 500 kg mass over 10 years is presented. The thruster, with a lifetime of 2-3 x 10 pulses, produces a total pulse of 2.5 x 10s Ns, consuming up to 13 kg of propellant (Teflon). Estimations have shown that the thruster total mass will not exceed S&60 kg for the flying PPT. Even in the case of a two-fold redundancy the thruster set mass should comprise no more than 0.20.25 of the satellite mass. The prospect of a rail design for the PPT discharge chamber with lateral propellant feeding is experimentally examined

1. INTRODUCTION The application of artificial Earth satellites in geostationary orbit for global communication system creation and various scientific purposes has given rise to huge interest in the last few years. For effective

attitude control of the satellite in orbit it is necessary to compensate the disturbing forces and moments acting upon it which are being caused by the gravity of the Sun and Moon, solar wind pressure, Earths gravitational field and non-centrality and by a number of other factors. The task of the parameters sustaining geostationary orbit during a day requires the creation of thrust pulses, the calculated daily values of which are shown in Fig. 1 as a function of satellite mass. Average thrust values for continuous thruster operation are also presented. The accuracy for sustaining the satellite center of mass and its axes directions depends upon the value of unit pulse being produced by the jet controls. Gas-jet and catalytic (mono- and bi-propellant) engines are currently broadly used as the satellite controls[l]. For the satellite in low orbit for a relatively small (up to one year) period of active operation, these engines have no competitors from among the other controls in the case of low requirement as regards the afteraction pulse and lifetime. They have low mass and overall dimensions and are simple and convenient to operate.
tPaper IAF-93-5.5.187 presented at the 44th International Astronautical Federation Congress, Graz, Austria, 1622 October 1993. $Due to circumstances beyond the Publishers control, this paper appears in print without author corrections. @ee Nomenclature at the end of this paper.

With the increase in the active operation period (from one to ten years) of the satellite and requirement for spacecraft stabilization accuracy it is advisable to use electric rocket propulsion in the control system. Among the stationary plasma thrusters the thrusters with a closed drift of electrons or with a magnetic layer (TML) are optimized to the highest extent and tested in space[2]. Xenon is ordinarily used as a propellant in these thrusters which have a high thrust efficiency. A lifetime of IO3h of continuous operation and of 10 switch-ons at pulsed operation were confirmed experimentally. TML disadvantages include the necessity of time losses for preparation for operation (cathode-compensator heating), the complexity of producing small unit pulses and afteraction pulse and the presence of a self-induced gas environment, caused by thruster outgassing. The mentioned disadvantages could be eliminated by application of an erosion plasma thruster with a solid dielectric as propellant[3]. RIAME MAI has vast experience in the development of pulsed plasma sources for flight and space experiments under Earth ionosphere and magnetosphere investigation. Twelve units of pulsed plasma sources with a pulse energy in the region of 100-1000 J were designed and successfully tested under space vacuum conditions from 1975 to 1989[4].

2. JUSTIFlCATiON OF PPT PARAMETERSCHOICE@

At the first stage the task of PPT optimization is reduced to the definition of the thruster set minimum mass at given values of total thrust pulse, unit pulse, average operation frequency and lifetime. 585

586
10-5 IO3

A. I. Rudikov er al. where a = [2V9Vl(l + Y)l(Y, + Yr)l*.

IO-4 102

(9)

24h

10-j

10

Let us discuss the advisability of PPT use for solving the most energy-consumable task-attitude hold in the geostationary orbit for a satellite of 500 kg in mass in the North-South direction over 10 years. For the total pulse of 2.5 x 1ONs the satellite characteristic velocity change during the 10 years comprises a value of N 500 m/s (see Fig. 1). Currently the following specific parameter values of the PPT power supply unit are achievable: yc = 3-5 x lo-* kg/J (for the foil capacitors) yw= 3-5 x lo-* kg/W, rlwN 0.8 for the lifetime of its elements of l-3 x 10 pulse

I
2

I
4 kg

I
103

Fig. 1. Thrust

characteristics of the satellite engine. module mass could be pre(1)

PI.
The PPT propulsion sented as a sum: In this case the specific parameters dependence upon the lifetime could be described by the expressions: yc = 3 x 10-2(N/107)3, Yw = 3 x 10-2(N/107)3 assuming the relative mass of the constructive elements for the PPT flight variant to be equal to 0.2. Figures 2 and 3 show the mass, energy and specific parameters of the PPT module as functions of lifetime. The unit comprises two thruster modules, with oppositely directed discharge chambers, the axes of which go through the satellite center of mass. The average frequency for each module operation is 0.5 Hz. As follows from the above-mentioned curves, the PPT lifetime increase from 10 up to 3 x 10 and causes a reduction of the thruster set mass by two times. The minimum calculated value of the thruster unit mass comprises 50 kg. Even in the case of two-fold modular redundancy the PPT mass would not exceed 100 kg, which is 0.2 times that of the satellite mass.

M,=M,,,+M,+M,+M,.

Taking into account the expressions for the PPT mass components (M, = mN, M, = ye IV M, = Y\Y Wfll?w, Mk = Y,M,), the empirical relation for the thrust efficiency r~ = (K./m,)/* and dependencies C, = W/P, TJ = P2/2m W, eqn (1), after simple transformation, could be written in the following form: M,IM = AaC,(m, + YlN)ln(l - ok), where C, = l/(4K,m,)4,
Y = Yc + YJh~ (3) (4)

(2)

The value of the specific mass in the pulse, at which Mp minimum is achieved, is: m, = y/3N. (5)

Accounting for eqns (3), (5) and (2) the expression for the definition of the minimum thruster module mass has the following form:
M pm,n= (1.24Au/n(l x ( Y/N)~.

- yk)K:j4)
(6)

The thruster unit comprises n simultaneously operating modules, which ensure the velocity increment Au for the satellite in the case of lifetime utilization. The working body constant K. is 4 x lo- kg/J for Teflon, thus the minimum PPT mass in the case of operation with Teflon could be presented as:
Mpmin = [490Au/n(l - yt)](y/N)34.

kg

(7)
I
I
2x 10

Making the same transformations, the expression for the definition of the minimum mass of a stationary plasma thruster with a magnetic layer, operating with the gaseous propellant, could be obtained: Mpmin= 2Aa( 1 + yy)/no, (8)

Pulses
Fig. 2. Mass and energy parameters of the PPT.

2x 109 y,<

__--##-I 1
PPT of the erosion type 587

.. .

cc

4x 105 W N

TN

LI

I 2x 107

Pulses Fig. 3. PPT specific parameters. Let us examine the thruster with a magnetic layer for comparison. For estimation of the TML unit mass, assume the following values of specific parameters, which have been confirmed experimentally: y, = 1, yw= 2 x lo-* kg/W, yp = 1.5 x lo-* kg/W,
7 =

Fig. 5. Discharge chamber with lateral grain feeding.

q = 0.5,

q\y= 0.8,

feeding system transports the grains in the direction indicated by the arrows, while their exhaust PPT electrodes are connected to the capacitive battery. Development of a discharge chamber with a high lifetime requires, in particular, the assurance of: -high lifetime and reliability for the igniter, generating plasma igniting the main discharge, --constancy of the discharge chamber geometric dimensions for ensuring thrust pulse stability[6]. A discharge chamber of the coaxial type with longitudinal grain feeding (see Fig. 4) might ensure the calculated value of the specific mass in a pulse of 0.8-1.6 x 10e9 kg/J for the plane working surface of the grain. However, as the lifetime test showed, the initial shape of the dielectric working surface is varying substantially during PPT operation and acquires a parabolic shape after _ 10 pulses. In this case the blob specific mass increases up to 2-3 x 10m9kg/J, while the thrust efficiency decreases. Another substantial disadvantage of this design is the large length of the grain, which is more than 1 m in our case. The inductance of conducting bushes grows proportionally as the grain length increases, which leads to thrust efficiency reduction. In view of the above, the first design, presented in Fig. 4, should be used in cases where the operation lifetime of the PPT is not high with a small volume of dielectric being fed. The rail discharge chamber with longitudinal propellant grain feeding is shown in Fig. 4. In the case of this design the geometric dimensions of the discharge gap practically do not change during operation. Inductance and resistance of conducting bushes could be made minimum and high thrust efficiency values could be ensured due to correct commutation. But the specific mass output from the discharge is not high here and comprises less than 0.8 x 1O-9 kg/J. Thrust pulse is less than the calculated value too. For the task solution this would require a lifetime increase up to 3 x 10 pulses.

3.6 x 106s.

Then the mass of a thruster unit consisting of two modules would be 80 kg at a velocity of the plasma jet efflux v = 12 x lo3 m/s. Thus, the PPT and TML units are comparable in mass.
3. CHOICE OF PPT DESIGN

The reactive thrust in the PPT is produced due to the dielectric erosion products efflux out of the discharge chamber as a result of a high current pulsed discharge between the electrodes along the dielectric surface. Figures 4 and 5 show some of the types of PPT discharge chambers with solid dielectric feeding to the discharge area. The discharge chamber of the erosion PPT comprises: (1) cathode; (2) anode; (3) working body grains; (4) igniter. The propellant

Fig. 4. Discharge chambers with longitudinal grain feeding.

A. I. Rudikov ef al.
4. PPT DISCHARGE CHAMBER LABORATORY TEST

Two- and three-electrode high voltage spark plugs of the surface breakthrough were mainly used as igniters in the flight variants of the pulsed accelerators, designed in RIAME MAI. Teflon was used as the material dividing the electrodes. In the case of an energy of N 1 J, such igniters initiate discharge with a high reliability at a distance between the electrodes of up to 10 cm. However, the Teflon consumption in such igniters does not allow them to be used in PPT with a high lifetime. To substantially increase the igniter lifetime the dielectric separating the igniting electrodes should be made of a ceramic (aluminum oxide, for example). As carbon is in the composition of Teflon, the working surface of the ceramic should be covered by a carbonic film during the discharge process. The igniting plasma blob will be formed as a result of a high voltage breakthrough in the film, protecting the surface of the ceramic and electrodes. As regards making the correct choice of the igniter location inside the discharge chamber and of the initiation of energy discharge, the constancy of the carbon film thickness should be ensured during the PPT operation and erosion of the igniter working elements should be eliminated. Constructive design for the PPT discharge chamber laboratory model with lateral propellant feeding is presented in Fig. 7. The chamber comprises: (1) cathode; (2) anode; (3) propellant grains; (4) igniter; (5) end insulator. Teflon grains are fed to the discharge zone as their consumption takes place with the help of a spring (6) and pushers (7). Discharge electrodes are made of copper. The anode working surface is plane. As tests showed, the anode surface, salient into the chamber, leads to carbon film formation at the grain edges bordering the anode. Carbonic film presence at the Teflon surface prevents its evaporation in the discharge. As was mentioned above (see Fig. 5) the grains are fed by the pusher up to the fixing device at the cathode. For reduction of the erosion of the fixator edges, the cathode is made in the form of a cylinder. This cathode form allows the channel width to be changed by variation of the distance between the electrodes without variation in the grain dimensions. In order to

Fig. 6. PPT arrangement.

Figure 5 shows the rail chamber design with lateral Teflon feeding to the discharge region. In this case grains are made in the form of half-rings having a rectangular radial cross-section. The feeding system ensures their transportation around the system axis up to the lock of the fixing device at the cathode. Disposition of the grain working surface along the electrodes increases the zone of discharge location, reducing electrode erosion. A ring form of grains allows substantial decrease of the overall dimensions of the feeding system in the case of a large propellant mass. Varying the discharge channel dimensions one could obtain the calculated value of the specific mass output at a level of low9 kg/J. All the above observations of the latter design show prospect for designing a PPT for a geostationary satellite. Figure 6 shows one of the variants for the PPT module, designed for attitude hold of a geostationary satellite of 500 kg mass over 10 years. Propellant (Teflon) load (5-6 kg) is calculated for a lifetime of 2-3 x 10 pulses at a pulse energy of 220-320 J. Mass and energy parameters of this PPT are presented in Fig. 2. The module has two discharge chambers. Each chamber is equipped with its own feeding system with a Teflon load and igniter with the discharge initiation unit. This design allows, firstly, the mentioned elements to be made redundant and, secondly, the reduction of the overall PPT module dimensions. In the simplest case, the grain feeding system might be made in the form of a torsion spring (see Fig. 6). The power unit, comprising the capacitive battery, voltage converter and discharge initiation units, is located between two units of Teflon storage and feeding made in the form of disks. The capacitance of the battery is SO-70 pF. The maximum overall dimension of the module does not exceed 0.5 m and its mass is 25-30 kg.

h4-!+

?6

Fig. 7. PPT laboratory model circuit.

PPT of the erosion type

prevent carbon film formation at the grains edges bordering the cathode, its diameter should be more than three channel widths. The end insulator is made of ceramic. Its working surface, turned to the channel, has a concave cylinder form, the diameter of which is not less than the channel width. The depth of the forechamber (8) formed by the insulator, is approximately 3/2 of the channel width. The igniter should be mounted near the rear surface of the forechamber normal to the cathode axis. As experiments have shown, such a form of the end insulator working surface and igniter location ensure uniform Teflon evaporation at the beginning of the discharge channel. In order to prevent electric self-breakthroughs at the surface of the carbon film from forming at the forechamber walls, lateral grooves are made in them. The igniter is made in the form of a ceramic rod of aluminum oxide of 3 mm in diameter having longitudinal channels of 1 mm in diameter. Copper igniters are mounted inside the channels. The plane working end of the igniter does not run off the cathode surface. The discharge initiation unit (9) generates a high voltage pulse of -20 kV. Pulse energy is _ 1 J. The electrodes of the main discharge are connected to the capacitive battery (10) having a capacitance of 36 PF and a maximum voltage of 3 kV. Inductance and resistance of the conducting bushes are correspondingly equal to 1.2 x IO- H and 2 x lo- ohms. The frequency mode of PPT operation is defined by the pulse generator (11), connected to the discharge initiation unit. The maximum pulse repetition frequency is 0.4Hz. The PPT experimental test was conducted in a vacuum chamber at a residual gas pressure of not more than 10m4torr. Thrust pulse indirect measurements were made by a dynamic thrust meter. Grains were weighted before and after a series of 103-lo4 pulses for definition of the propellant mass per pulse. Experimental tests of constructive elements showed:

10

km s 5

q -It-0.1
Y

589

0.05

I
20 1 (mm)

I
40

Fig. 9. PPT specific parameters.

-absence of electrode erosion effects inside the channel (electrodes are covered by a dense carbon film) and weak cathode erosion at the channel exit; -equality of the Teflon mass, coming to the discharge from each grain; -good uniformity of Teflon evaporation from the grain working surfaces; -stoppage of carbon film growth at the forechamber walls after lo4 pulses; -erosion absence at the igniter working end covered by the carbon film. Figures 8 and 9 show the PPT performance for a pulse energy of 160 J and current amplitude of 35 kA. The grain length I varied in the range of 15-55 mm in the case of the channel width h = 8 mm and height H = 35 mm. It is obvious from Fig. 8, that the mass per pulse is approximately proportional to the grain length. Such a dependence substantially simplifies the grain length choice for ensuring the given value fat the blob specific mass. Refinement of the discharge chamber and of the electric circuit was made to ensure the calculated PPT parameters for a lifetime of 3 x 10 pulses (see Fig. 3). The width and height of the modified channel were 20 and 50 mm, respectively. The capacitance of the battery was increased up to 50 p F, while inductance and resistance of the conducting bushes were decreased to 5 x IO- H and 5 x 1O-4 ohm, respectively. Tests of the new PPT laboratory mock-up modification confirmed the correctness of the engineering forecast. The calculated PPT parameters were achieved at a grain length I = 20 mm. Thus, the results obtained confirm the correctness of the choice of PPT design, discharge chamber and element geometry for the development of an engine set with a long lifetime.
Acknowledgemenrs-The authors would like to express their thanks to S. Yu. Shibanov, D. V. Khorkov, I. G. Krivonosov and G. V. Soganova for help in the experiments and execution of this paper.

4 * 10-7

kg

20

40 1 (mm)

Fig. 8. PPT integral parameters.

590 REFERENCES

A. I. Rudikov et al.
K. = working body constant m = plasma blob mass

1. H. D. Schmitz, Technical Aspects on the Development of Low Thrust Hydrazine Propulsion Systems. ERNO,

Germany (1971). 2. N. V. Belan, V. Kim, A. I. Oransky and V. B. Tikhonov, Stationary plasma thrusters. USSR State Committee on National Education, KhAI (1989) (in Russian). 3. W. J. Guman and D. M. Nathanson, Pulsed plasma microthruster propulsion system for synchronous orbit satellite. J. Spacecraff Rockets 7, 409 (1970). 4. S. I. Avdyushin, I. M. Podgorny, G. A. Popov and A. A. Porotnikov, Plasma accelerators application for the study of physical processes in space. In Plasma Accelerators and Ion Injectors, pp. 232-239. Nauka, MOSCOW (1984) (in Russian). 5. L. Golkomb, Electric rocket propulsion sets for satellites. J. Vopr. raker. tekh. 10, 39-66 (1972) (in Russian). 6. D. J. Palumbo and W. J. Guman, Effect of electrode geometry and propellant on pulsed ablative thruster performance. AIAA Paper 75-409, March (1975).
APPENDIX Nomenclature C, = energetic price of thrust

f = PPT operation frequency

blob specific mass satellite mass PPT module mass working body mass capacitive battery mass voltage converter mass construction mass number of thruster modules operating simultaneously N = total pulse number P = unit pulse Au = satellite velocity variation v = effective velocity for the plasma plume efflux w = energy in the discharge y = specific mass for the power supply unit ye = capacitive battery specific mass y, = energy converter specific mass yk = relative mass of the construction yv = relative mass for tanks with propellant y,, = thruster specific mass q = thrust efficiency 1, = voltage converter efficiency 5 = lifetime I, H, h = length, height and width of the discharge channel in Fig. 7.

m, = M = M, = M,,, = M, = M, = Mk = n=