System (300, 400) and methods (500) for testing a reaction thruster (100) in a vacuum environment. The methods comprise: disposing the reaction thruster in a vacuum chamber which is at least partially connected to earth ground; removing at least one gas from the vacuum chamber to provide the vacuum environment; operating the reaction thruster so as to create a beam of electrons; and/or electrically isolating the electrons of the beam from at least one electrically conductive surface of the vacuum chamber. The electrical isolation can be achieved by applying an electrical bias voltage to the beam via an electrode. The electrode may comprise a conductive object disposed in the vacuum chamber and/or at least a portion of a vacuum chamber wall. In all cases, the electrode is electrically isolated from a portion of the vacuum chamber that is connected to ground.
Ground based systems and methods for testing reaction thrusters
2020-03-17
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | G01N Untersuchen oder Analysieren von Stoffen durch Bestimmen ihrer chemischen oder physikalischen Eigenschaften , INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES / B64G Raumfahrt , COSMONAUTICS / F03H PRODUCING A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR , Erzeugung von Vortriebskraft [Schub] nach dem Prinzip des Rückstoßes, soweit nicht anderweitig vorgesehen / G01L Messen von Kraft, mechanischer Spannung, Drehmoment, Arbeit, mechanischer Leistung, mechanischem Wirkungsgrad oder des Drucks von Fluiden , MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE / H01J Elektrische Entladungsröhren oder Entladungslampen , ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS |
GROUND BASED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TESTING REACTION THRUSTERS
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