STTR Phase I: Metal Fueled Hall Effect Thruster Using A Radioisotope Heater

这个第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是通过提供具有扩展能力的推进器平台来显著改变电力推进的当前状态。这样的变化将允许霍尔推进器跨越更广泛的操作参数，并通过放射性同位素电源系统（RPS）增加效率，降低成本，探索深空和备用电源。通过使用RPS，推进器平台将为每9瓦的加热功率产生1瓦的电力。加热功率将使高密度金属推进剂，如锌的使用。电力将为太阳能发电提供后备，并可能为基本的卫星系统提供动力。这项工作将提供有关核燃料回收、发电和相关空间技术的科学知识。最后，这项工作将是高度协作的，并将有助于培训高度多样化的工作人员队伍。 这个小企业技术转让（STTR）第一阶段项目解决了空间推进中的一个长期问题;对氙作为燃料的依赖。拟议的工作的主要目标是生产一个原型霍尔效应推力器利用锌燃料和RPS单元。热管理系统将管理RPS单元产生的热量，以将燃料输送到推进器。初始工作将使用一个电气模块，该模块将作为RPS单元的占位符;后者可以在必要时插入。原型的设计将遵循霍尔效应推进器比例定律，以降低风险。测试原型的结果将提供关于排出的离子、推进器效率和推进器羽流发散的信息。更广泛地说，研究结果将为实现氙燃料的替代品提供数据，作为改进推进器平台的一部分。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I project is to significantly alter the current state of electric propulsion by providing a thruster platform with extended capabilities. Such a change would allow Hall thrusters to span a wider range of operating parameters with added benefits of increased efficiency, lower cost, exploration of deep space, and backup power via a radioisotope power system (RPS). By using a RPS, the thruster platform will produce one watt of electrical power for every nine watts of heating power. The heating power will enable the use of high-density metal propellants such as zinc. The electrical power will provide a backup for solar generation and can potentially power basic satellite systems. This work will provide scientific knowledge regarding nuclear fuel recycling, power generation, and related space technologies. Lastly, this work will be highly collaborative and will contribute to the training of a highly diverse workforce. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project addresses a longstanding issue in space propulsion; the reliance on xenon as a fuel. The primary objective of the proposed work is to produce a prototype Hall Effect thruster utilizing zinc fuel and a RPS unit. A thermal management system will manage the heat produced by the RPS unit to deliver fuel to the thruster. Initial work will use an electrical module that will act as a placeholder for the RPS unit; the latter can be inserted when necessary. Design of the prototype will follow Hall Effect thruster scaling laws to reduce risk. The results of the tested prototype will provide information on the expelled ions, thruster efficiency, and divergence of the thruster plume. More broadly, the results will provide data on realizing an alternative to xenon fuel for space propulsion as part of an improved thruster platform.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.