Plasma contactor technology for Space Station Freedom

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Plasma contactor technology for Space Station Freedom

Patterson, Michael J. / Hamley, John A. / Sarver-Verhey, Timothy / Soulas, George C. / Parkes, James / Ohlinger, Wayne L. / Schaffner, Michael S. / Nelson, Amy

Abstract

Hollow cathode plasma contactors have been baselined for Space Station Freedom to control the electrical potentials of surfaces to eliminate/mitigate damaging interactions with the space environment. The system represents a dual-use technology which is a direct outgrowth of the NASA electric propulsion program and in particular the technology development effort on ion thruster systems. Specific efforts include optimizing the design and configuration of the contactor, validating its required lifetime, and characterizing the contactor plume and electromagnetic interference. The plasma contactor subsystems include the plasma contactor unit, a power electronics unit, and an expellant management unit. Under this program these will all be brought to breadboard and engineering model development status. New test facilities have been developed, and existing facilities have been augmented, to support characterizations and life testing of contactor components and systems. This paper discusses the magnitude, scope, and status of the plasma contactor hardware development program now under way and preliminary test results on system components.

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Document information

Title :

Plasma contactor technology for Space Station Freedom

Contributors:

Patterson, Michael J. (author) / Hamley, John A. (author) / Sarver-Verhey, Timothy (author) / Soulas, George C. (author) / Parkes, James (author) / Ohlinger, Wayne L. (author) / Schaffner, Michael S. (author) / Nelson, Amy (author)

Conference:

AIAA, SAE, ASME, and ASEE, Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit ; 1993 ; Monterey, CA, United States

Publication date :

1993-06-01

Type of media :

Conference paper

Type of material :

No indication

Language :

English

Keywords :

Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance