NPS logo Naval Postgraduate School
Dudley Knox Library
        View Item 
        •   Calhoun Home
        • Theses and Dissertations
        • 1. Thesis and Dissertation Collection, all items
        • View Item
        •   Calhoun Home
        • Theses and Dissertations
        • 1. Thesis and Dissertation Collection, all items
        • View Item
        • How to search in Calhoun
        • My Accounts
        • Ask a Librarian
        JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

        Browse

        All of CalhounCollectionsThis Collection

        My Account

        LoginRegister

        Statistics

        Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

        Arcjet plume ionization effects on exposed solar array conducting surfaces

        Thumbnail
        View/Open
        Iconarcjetplumeioniz00ever.pdf (5.003Mb)
        Download Record
        Download to EndNote/RefMan (RIS)
        Download to BibTex
        Author
        Evert, Richard William
        Date
        1991-09
        Advisor
        Olsen, Richard C.
        Second Reader
        Biblarz, Oscar
        Metadata
        Show full item record
        Abstract
        High efficiency arcjet propulsion will be used in the near future for satellite orbit adjustment and eventually for orbit transfer. Testing is currently being conducted to explore spacecraft interface difficulties with this method of propulsion. This thesis looks at one aspect of this interface. Since most earth orbiting spacecraft use solar arrays for power generation, it is of interest to investigate how exposed, biased conducting surfaces will interact with the slightly ionized plume environment of the arcjet thruster. It was found that with the arcjet thruster mounted 25.4 cm above the solar array, firing along its axis at a 20 degree cant angle, electrical currents were indeed collected. The effect of having a constricted area exposed to the plume was to increase the current density. The electron densities at typical solar array distances were found to be 10 to the 10th to 10 to the 12th power/cu.m. An estimate of the total power lost for an array in this configuration showed that 0.05% of the overall power is lost due to collected currents.
        Description
        Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited
        URI
        http://hdl.handle.net/10945/43761
        Collections
        • 1. Thesis and Dissertation Collection, all items
        Feedback

        411 Dyer Rd. Bldg. 339
        Monterey, CA 93943

         

        circdesk@nps.edu
        (831) 656-2947
        DSN 756-2947

        Start Your Research

        • Research Guides
        • How to Cite
        • Search Basics
        • Ask a Librarian
        • Library Liaisons
        • Graduate Writing Center
        • Thesis Processing Office
        • Statistics, Maps & More
        • Copyright at NPS

        Find & Download

        • Databases List
        • Articles, Books & More
        • NPS Theses
        • NPS Faculty Publications: Calhoun
        • Journal Titles
        • Course Reserves

        Use the Library

        • My Accounts
        • Request Article or Book
        • Borrow, Renew, Return
        • Remote Access
        • Workshops & Tours
        • For Faculty & Researchers
        • For International Students
        • For Alumni
        • Print, Copy, Scan, Fax
        • Rooms & Study Spaces
        • Floor Map
        • Computers & Software
        • Adapters, Lockers & More

        Collections

        • NPS Archive: Calhoun
        • Restricted Resources
        • Special Collections & Archives
        • Federal Depository
        • Homeland Security Digital Library

        About

        • Hours
        • Library Staff
        • About Us
        • Visit Us

        NPS-Licensed Resources - Terms & Conditions

        Copyright Notice

         
         

          Federal Depository Library  

        NPS Home Privacy Policy Copyright Accessibility Contact Webmaster